FDA warns of Rare Side Effect for Avandia

Diseases & Conditions Diabetes
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A warning from U.S. regulators linking GlaxoSmithKline Plc's diabetes drug Avandia to rare cases of swelling in the back of the eye is unlikely to have a major impact on sales, analysts said on Friday.

The Food and Drug Administration highlighted the problem in a notice late on Thursday after the drug maker said it had received "very rare" reports of the swelling, known as macular oedema, in patients taking Avandia.

The warning also applies to Avandamet, a combination product containing the same active ingredient, and Avandaryl, which will be available later in January.

scool  Warren

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Just about everything we have to take has some rare bad things happen. The sad part is there are people out there that have already experienced those problems. It comes down to risk factor, do we take the chance of these rare problems or do we go it without the drug. That is everybodies individual decision. I don't see it enough for me to stop taking it. Avandia already has possible bad side affects already that require constant watch. Knowing about the side affects should save some people who otherwise would suffer with the rare vision problems. Again, knowledge is the key to successful treatment. We all have our own belief of what the knowledge is that fits our own thinking and the key is to keep looking and don't get in any one rut.

type 2 - dx 12/04
metformin 500mg 3x - avanda 2mg 2x

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Dear Warren,
Does this side-effect occur early after initiating Avandia or can it occur anyime during therapy?I have been on Avandamet since 10 years without any side-effects.Till date, the benefits outscored the side-effects of Rosiglitazone(Avandia)

sharer

Mind is a myth,thought is your enemy,no way out!

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A GlaxoSmithKline letter sent to doctors makes these points:

  • The reports are "very rare."
  • Most patients also reported swelling in their legs and feet (peripheral edema) at the same time.
  • In some cases the macula edema stopped or improved when patients stopped taking the drugs.
  • In one case, macula edema stopped when the drug's dose was reduced.
They made no indication of what the "timing" was for this event.  I have posted this only as something for Avandia users to be aware of and nothing more.  If you aren't aware of the side effects you can't watch for them.
 
scool  Warren