Who is Protecting You From Avandia?

Beaumont, TXThe list of Avandia side effects that patients are complaining about is staggering. At the top of the list is the potential increased risk of heart attack, one of the more severe side effects that have been linked to the diabetes medication. There has not yet been an Avandia recall announced, leaving some people wondering who is protecting patients from the reported risks of Avandia.

Since studies were released linking Avandia to heart attacks, strokes, liver failure and a risk of fractures, lawsuits have been filed against GlaxoSmithKline, the drug's maker, alleging the drug has caused serious health problems for patients.

One of the more recent lawsuits was filed in March in Texas, on behalf of a Geral Lawhon, a Type 2 diabetic who claims Avandia made his condition worse. According to The Southeast Texas Record, the lawsuit alleges GlaxoSmithKline "marketed and sold the drug knowing it was dangerous." Furthermore, the suit claims that the drug manufacturer marketed Avandia even though company officials knew that the drug was dangerous and failed to warn the public about the risks associated with Avandia.

The plaintiff is seeking punitive damages, past and future medical expenses and compensation for mental anguish.

In a separate lawsuit, 2 people filed suit against GlaxoSmithKline alleging they suffered serious harm after using Avandia. One of the plaintiffs claims Avandia caused her to suffer a stroke, while the other plaintiff claims he suffered cardio thrombotic and cardiovascular injury because he used Avandia.

The plaintiffs claim that GlaxoSmithKline should have provided warnings about the risks associated with Avandia, even before the FDA required such warnings, because the drug company knew about the high risk factors that patients with diabetes already have. The lawsuit further argues that GlaxoSmithKline did not perform adequate testing on Avandia, which resulted in the drug being released on the market with inadequate warnings.

According to the lawsuit, the plaintiffs claim that there were medications that were safer than Avandia on the market. The plaintiffs are seeking in excess of $400,000 for medical expenses, lost wages and injury.

To add to the stress about Avandia, a new study has linked glitazones (a class of drug that includes Avandia) to diabetic macular edema. Diabetic macular edema involves swelling and fluid build-up in the retina, which can cause progressive loss of vision.

Avandia remains on the market, although some critics are questioning why it has not yet been pulled. Public Citizen filed a petition with the Food and Drug Administration requesting that the agency ban Avandia, citing a risk of death from liver failure and other life-threatening risks as reason for the ban. The organization said that the risks of Avandia far outweigh the drug's benefits and listed Glucophage (metformin) and Glucotrol (glipizide) as safer alternatives to Avandia. In its press release regarding the petition, Public Citizen referred to Avandia as an "unacceptably dangerous drug."

If you have suffered any of the side effects linked to Avandia, there is a chance you may have been harmed by the use of the medication. Your best bet would be to consult a lawyer to discuss your legal options.