No US Ban For Avandia But A Warning About Increased Heart Risk

Main Category: Diabetes
Also Included In: Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Article Date: 16 Nov 2007 - 11:00 PDT

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The US Food and Drugs Administration has decided no to ban the use of the diabetes drug Avandia, also known as Rosiglitazone.

However, the drug will now carry a 'black box' warning that it could increase the risk of chest pains or heart attacks.

The 'black box' warning is the strongest warning that the FDA adds to labels on medications that may pose a health threat to users.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), who are responsible for the licensing of drugs in the UK, currently state that glitazones are a safe and effective treatment for Type 2 diabetes.

"In the UK, Glitazones are not presently recommended for people who have had, or who are at high risk of having, heart failure," said Libby Dowling, Care Advisor at Diabetes UK.

"The MHRA and the European Medicines Agency say that people should not stop taking glitazones and if concerned they should consult their doctor."

http://www.diabetes.org.uk