Comments on: Diabetes drug Avandia may be banned http://lancastria.net/blog/diabetes-drug-avandia-may-be-banned.html Neuschwanstein, a castle that belongs in Blackburn Lancashire less the 4000 holes Fri, 18 May 2012 05:09:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Neuschwanstein http://lancastria.net/blog/diabetes-drug-avandia-may-be-banned.html#comment-760 Neuschwanstein Sun, 26 Sep 2010 00:15:11 +0000 http://lancastria.net/blog/?p=3275#comment-760 Around 90,000 British diabetes patients were warned against continuing to use one of the most popular treatments for their condition after regulators ruled it could lead to heart attacks or strokes. After a three-year battle with UK pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended that Avandia, or rosiglitazone, which is used by 2 million people worldwide, should no longer be used after growing concerns about its potentially damaging effects on patients. The benefits of the drug, which is used to control Type 2 diabetes, no longer outweighed its risks, the regulator ruled. The decision means that no new prescriptions can be issued for it, and that no new patients can start receiving a drug once seen as a major breakthrough in tackling the disabling effects of diabetes. Evidence linking Avandia to an increased risk of a heart attack or stroke has been building since 2007. GlaxoSmithKline has insisted that Avandia is safe but in July agreed to pay $460m(£304m) in damages to settle about 10,000 lawsuits in America linking its use to patients suffering serious medical setbacks. http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/sep/23/diabetes-drug-avandia-suspended-health-fears Around 90,000 British diabetes patients were warned against continuing to use one of the most popular treatments for their condition after regulators ruled it could lead to heart attacks or strokes.

After a three-year battle with UK pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended that Avandia, or rosiglitazone, which is used by 2 million people worldwide, should no longer be used after growing concerns about its potentially damaging effects on patients. The benefits of the drug, which is used to control Type 2 diabetes, no longer outweighed its risks, the regulator ruled.

The decision means that no new prescriptions can be issued for it, and that no new patients can start receiving a drug once seen as a major breakthrough in tackling the disabling effects of diabetes.

Evidence linking Avandia to an increased risk of a heart attack or stroke has been building since 2007. GlaxoSmithKline has insisted that Avandia is safe but in July agreed to pay $460m(£304m) in damages to settle about 10,000 lawsuits in America linking its use to patients suffering serious medical setbacks.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/sep/23/diabetes-drug-avandia-suspended-health-fears

]]> By: Neuschwanstein http://lancastria.net/blog/diabetes-drug-avandia-may-be-banned.html#comment-749 Neuschwanstein Fri, 24 Sep 2010 15:48:09 +0000 http://lancastria.net/blog/?p=3275#comment-749 A widely-used diabetes drug should be pulled from the market, European regulators say. Avandia is used to control blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes patients. It was licensed 10 years ago and more than 100,000 patients in the UK use it despite on-going concerns linking it to heart problems. After reviewing safety data, the European Medicines Agency said the benefits no longer outweighed the risks and it should be suspended. The drug - generic name rosiglitazone - is also used in combination with other drugs under the names Avandamet and Avaglim. A spokeswoman for the regulator said: "Patients who are currently taking these medicines should make an appointment with their doctor to discuss suitable alternative treatments. "Patients are advised not to stop their treatment without speaking to their doctor." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11397645 A widely-used diabetes drug should be pulled from the market, European regulators say.

Avandia is used to control blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes patients.

It was licensed 10 years ago and more than 100,000 patients in the UK use it despite on-going concerns linking it to heart problems.

After reviewing safety data, the European Medicines Agency said the benefits no longer outweighed the risks and it should be suspended.

The drug – generic name rosiglitazone – is also used in combination with other drugs under the names Avandamet and Avaglim.

A spokeswoman for the regulator said: “Patients who are currently taking these medicines should make an appointment with their doctor to discuss suitable alternative treatments.

“Patients are advised not to stop their treatment without speaking to their doctor.”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11397645

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