Avandia has been used by many people suffering from diabetes, but it has now been shown to cause heart problems.
Avandia has been touted as a medication that helps enhance glycemic control in diabetes patients by increasing insulin sensitivity and diminishing circulating insulin levels. Sadly, it has been shown that after many patients took the drug, they experienced heart failure and in some cases liver problems. In 2006, the manufacturer of the drug, GlaxoSmithKline, revealed that the drug and its generic counterpart caused certain eye problems, including fluid and protein buildup. If you have developed heart problems after taking Avandia, it is important to speak to a Boca Raton product liability lawyer.
Avandia Side Effects
GlaxoSmithKline has always included certain warnings on their labels. Unfortunately, those warnings did not include the seriousness of the symptoms, and the list was also incomplete. Some of the most serious side effects according to GlaxoSmithKline include:
- Edema
- Hepatic effects
- Weight gain
- Macular edema
- Bone fractures
- Blood glucose control and diabetes
Although the manufacturer did admit to these potential side effects, the FDA required GlaxoSmithKline to update the information to include the cardiovascular risks. At the time, the FDA determined the drug was safe to use and allowed it to remain on marketplace shelves. At the same time, Europe banned the drug, deeming that the risks outweigh the benefits.
Mass Torts and Avandia
Many people have already started holding GlaxoSmithKline accountable for their negligent actions. Over 50,000 lawsuits have been filed against the company and they have already settled numerous lawsuits with the government for a total of $3 billion.
The lawsuits allege that GlaxoSmithKline knew of the serious side effects their drug posed, but they failed to warn doctors, patients, and the general public of the harm it could cause. The lawsuits also allege that the manufacturer did not test their drug properly. This allegation stems from the fact that the manufacturer conducted a clinical trial known as RECORD to study the safety of the drug. Within the trial GlaxoSmithKline convened, they found the drug to be safe and that it did not pose any health risks. However, many independent studies have made counterarguments stating that is not true.
The company has never admitted to any wrongdoing and continues to maintain that the risk of heart disease is low when taking the drug, even though they have settled many lawsuits. If you have experienced heart problems after taking Avandia, it is important to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible.
Contact Our Florida Product Liability Lawyers Today
You take medications trusting that they will help you recover from an illness or condition. When that does not happen and a drug further harms you, it is devastating. At Ged Lawyers, LLP, our Boca Raton product liability lawyers understand the difficulties you are going through, and can help you recover the full amount of damages you deserve. Call us today at (561) 995-1966 or contact us online to schedule a free case review with one of our skilled attorneys.
