Avandia, along with its pharmacological cousin Actos, are different from many other diabetes drugs in that they act directly on gene expression.
"Because genes change over time, perhaps this type of drug is going to have different outcomes in different age groups," Garratt suggested.
"What we can conclude now looking at the question from multiple different angles is that we have failed to come up with a consistent message," Garratt added. "My guess is that the marketplace will see some additional fall-off in the use of Avandia, but we know that some has already taken place. Those of us who are prescribing the medication from a cardiovascular practice perspective are already cautious. As this gets more press, that degree of caution will filter down to the internist, the family medicine physician and the diabetes expert."
More information
The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more on thiazolidinediones.
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