Rosiglitazone Linked To Osteoporosis

Main Category: Bones / Orthopaedics
Also Included In: Diabetes
Article Date: 06 Dec 2007 - 4:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

New research claims the Type 2 diabetes drug rosiglitazone (also known as Avandia) could increase the risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis.

A paper published online in Nature Medicine says rosiglitazone has been associated with an increased fracture risk because of its inhibitory action on cells that build bone (known as osteoblasts).

More research needed

"These findings are interesting," said Dr Iain Frame, Director of Research at Diabetes UK.

"We already know that bone fractures are more common in people with diabetes taking rosiglitazones. This research could help us to understand better the effect the drug may have on bone health.

"However, a lot more research is needed before we can conclusively link rosiglitazones to increased risk of various bone conditions in humans."

What the health watchdogs say

Both the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the European Medicines Agency say that people should not stop taking glitazones. If anyone is concerned, they should consult their doctor.

Diabetes UK's recommendations

Diabetes UK strongly recommends that people with Type 2 diabetes eat a well balanced diet and incorporate physical activity into their daily life as part of good diabetes control.

http://www.diabetes.org.uk