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What is Avandia?
Rosiglitazone is an anti-diabetic drug in the thiazolidinedione class of drugs. It is marketed by the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline as a stand-alone drug (Avandia) and in combination with metformin (Avandamet) or with glimepiride (Avandaryl). Recent findings suggest that Rosiglitazone is associated with a statistically significant risk of myocardial ischemic events.
Side Effects of Avandia
You may currently be one of some 6 million people with Type 2 diabetes and using the prescription drug Avandia as treatment. There is, however, a reasonable chance that you are already contracting life-threatening side effects, which may include worsened symptoms typical of diabetes - the opposite of what the drug was intended to do.
First approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1999 to treat type II, or adult onset diabetes, Avandia became one of the most popular drugs for the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline. It works by allowing the body to use insulin it produces to control the levels of blood sugar in the liver and prevent the serious and potentially fatal aspects of this condition that affects almost 16 million adults in the United States.
Unfortunately, Avandia has been linked to a number of serious side effects of its own. From as early as 2003, medical experts at the Mayo Clinic discovered that Avandia was linked to six cases of congestive heart failure in elderly men undergoing treatment for type II diabetes. These men experienced symptoms of weight gain, swelling of the extremities, shortness of breath, and fluid in the lungs, which all occur when the heart can no longer pump blood through the circulatory system which can cause fluid build up in the body.
Liver problems are also associated with Avandis. It can possibly result in jaundice (or the yellowing of eyes and skin due to the build up of bilirubin in the body), fatigue, vomiting, stomach pain, and nausea.
Avandis is also suspected of causing a condition called Primary Pulmonary Hypertension, or PPH. PPH is caused when blood vessels narrow which then increase blood pressure. High blood pressure can result in a number of serious complications such as shortness of breath, fainting, dizziness, and even heart failure.
Additionally, Avandis is linked to hypoglycemia, or the lack of sugar in the blood. Without blood sugar the body cannot function, and can cause a number of extremely dangerous side effects to occur such as accelerated heart rate, headache, sweating, fatigue, weakness, and dizziness.
GlaxoSmithKline, along with the FDA, sent a letter to healthcare professionals in December 2005 to alert them about the possibility of peripheral edema (swelling of the extremities) and macular edema (the buildup of fluid and protein in the eye that can severely impair vision.)
This is not your fault, but is a result of negligence on the part of its manufacturer, known as GlaxoSmithKline (Glaxo for short). This company has come under scrutiny from the FDA because it recently gained a dishonest reputation for failing to warn patients of the dangers present in its drugs. You may want to contact your elected officials on local or state level for advice on an Avandia lawyer. But you must take all necessary legal actions as quickly as possible and know the time limits for this as given in your state's laws.
Be aware to the best of your ability what are the side effects of Avandia. This will be important information for both your Avandia lawyer, who must give specific evidence in your case, and a physician who can suggest alternative treatments that will not make repeat mistakes.
These symptoms include but are not limited to the following: heart problems (either failure or rapid heartbeat), pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, anemia, swollenness, rapid and inexplicable weight gain, breathing problems, unusual fatigue, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin, persistent nausea/nauseating, abdominal pain, elevated hyper- or hypoglycemia, new or worsening macular edema, sight problems, or allergic reactions such as rash or itching.
You are advised to choose at least two or three ideal candidates for an Avandia lawyer and have them interviewed to prove that they will represent your case accurately. Some statistics on the drug's use may help you see the prevalence of needs for an Avandia lawyer so you will be encouraged that you are not alone: It saw about 1 million purchases and generated about $3 billion as of 2006, and it is now used by about 6 million people worldwide.
This is very small compared to the total U.S. and world population but high enough that your needs for medical and legal attention do not have to go unnoticed. In addition to seeking out an Avandia lawyer, remember to consult with a trustworthy physician for alternative treatments of Type 2 diabetes.
You and your loved ones cannot afford the cost of waiting until it is too late to be compensated for damages that may have already occurred due to irresponsible treatment of diabetes. Seek help today.
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