>> Click here for a powerpoint presentation on Avandia: Liability, Science and Studies
When Avandia was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1999 it held the promise of relief for the more then 20 million Americans who suffered from Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance and reduced insulin production, which results in glucose building up in the blood instead of being metabolized and used for energy. Avandia was developed to help patients with diabetes keep blood sugar levels within safe limits and it quickly became the most widely used drug for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes with 60 million prescriptions being written for the drug since its approval. In fact, it's estimated that 1 million Americans took Avandia in 2006.
If you schedule an appointment with us, we will make sure you meet with a LAWYER, not a member of our support staff.
In December 2006, GlaxoSmithKline the pharmaceutical manufacturer of Avandia alerted doctors that its product had been shown to have side effects that include two different kinds of edema in patients. These conditions can lead to many other health complications, including congestive heart failure. The FDA followed with its own safety alert on May 21, 2007, after safety data from controlled clinical trials indicated that there was a potentially significant increase in the risk of heart attack and heart-related deaths in patients taking Avandia.
Avandia's tendency to cause users to retain fluid, can lead to swelling and weight gain. This extra body fluid is what makes some heart problems worse and leads to heart failure. Some other Avandia side effects can include:
- Swelling from fluid retention
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Low red blood cell count (anemia)
- Liver problems
- Weight gain
- Headache
- Cold-like symptoms
- Ovulation leading to pregnancy
If you or a loved one has experienced serious injuries as the result of using the drug Avandia, it is your right to hold the negligent manufacturer liable for the health problems you have suffered. The South Carolina Avandia attorneys at Sanders & Nettles are skilled in areas of dangerous drug law, including the complexities involving prescription drug liability law. We will use our knowledge and experience to protect your rights, while striving to recover for you the monetary compensation that you deserve.
If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries as the result of a dangerous pharmaceutical drug, contact an experienced and dedicated South Carolina defective drug attorney at Sanders & Nettles for a free consultation.