The Fate of Avandia Side Effects

Avandia’s effective control over diabetes is under fire. Generically known as rosiglitazone maleate, this drug has become the choice of treatment for individual suffering from Type II diabetes. Aside from reducing insulin blood concentration, glucose and fatty acid, it is also considered as an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, ulcerative colitis and malaria. But the supposedly Avandia side effects has immensely dropped its popularity. Although its manufacturers are contesting the different Avandia side effects, it cannot be denied that the sales have enormously crashed down. The fate of Avandia side effects remains to be seen and many have called on to the final arbitrary solution of the controversy.

Heart attack and stroke are two of the most fatal Avandia side effects that have been the center of controversy since 2007. Although a similar study does not conclusively linked Avandia to such ailments, many believed that indeed these Avandia side effects may truly exists after the manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has agreed to an out of the court settlement. With over 13,000 lawsuits on hand, GSK has managed to settle a majority of its claimants. However, there woes are not over yet. They are still in the thick of the battle whether Food and Drug Administration will allow it to stay in the market or not.

Even the panel that is tasked to deliberate on the fate of Avandia is not spared from the controversy. With a growing pressure to undertake a government investigation, FDA oversight committee came up with a hearing that resulted to an 8 against 7 votes to keep the drug in the market despite the contentious Avandia side effects. However, a few months after the decision came out; an additional order was required to include warning from potential Avandia side effects that should be written on a black box at the drug’s label.

The touchy Avandia side effects have also reached the halls of congress who undertook an independent and parallel inquiry regarding the touted Avandia side effects. The committee report says that the Avandia side effects may have caused up to 500 avoidable heart attacks and had recommended the withdrawal from the market.

Although heart ailments and cardiovascular diseases are the two more notorious Avandia side effects, there are other less contentious Avandia side effects. Increase incidence of bone fracture in the upper feet, arm and hand has also been reported to occur on patients taking Avandia on a regular basis. Partial blindness is also being suspected to be one of Avandia side effects through retina damage caused by macular edema. Acute hepatitis in moderate to severe form has allegedly been reportedly seen on adults who have been taking a recommended dose of Avandia in the span of two to four weeks.

Many are expecting to end the controversy with finality this September 2010 as the FDA and its European counterpart EMEA are looking forward to come up with joint recommendation. It could either be to keep the drug as it is, keep it with modification or banning it from the market. The suspense is up in the air and not a few are anticipating the ending of this highly suspense saga of Avandia side effects.