European Medicine Agency Assessment of Avandia

A professional group of doctors (The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine) says that the warning label on Avandia should mention that a vegan diet that is low in fat is safer than the drug itself and so should be touted as a more effective way to lower the blood glucose level.

The same diet they say is also good to lower the cholesterol and blood pressure levels. On top of these other benefits, the diet can be beneficial for weight loss and in preventing and even stopping heart disease. This fact should also be made clear to Avandia users.

This request came when the FDA decided to make Avandia show a warning to alert the users about the risk of increasing heart attacks. They say there were 13,000 cases of heart failure and heart attack that can be attributed to the use of the Avandia which is the brand name of rosiglitazone used to keep the blood sugar under control.

EMEA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use has just completed its assessment of Thiazolidinediones (TZD). They have reached the conclusion that the benefits derived from these drugs outweigh the risks. Dr. Alaistair Benbow, European Medical Director and Vice-president of GSK, said it is important in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

GlascoSmithKline is a research based health care and pharmaceutical company which commits itself to improve the life by making people able to do more and live longer. They said they will continue working with physicians to provide the best treatment for patients.

Rosiglitazone is of the same class of drugs that help improve blood glucose control in Type 2 diabetes. Some patients cannot take metformin and so may have to take this alone or in combination with sulphonylurea or with metformin or with both.

Rosiglitazone cannot be taken in combination with insulin. Remember also that Rosiglitazone is not good for patients with cardiac failure. It may lead to fluid retention. If you suddenly experience a rapid weight increase, shortness of breath and increasing edema, please consult your doctor. Patients with liver problem should not be taking rosiglitazone. They should undergo blood tests to rule out liver problems before taking it.