Will Avandia Be Yanked Off the Market?

Reader Comments
Back to article

Chloramphenicol works by preventing bacteria from producing proteins that are essential to them. Without these proteins the bacteria cannot grow, replicate and increase in numbers.

chloromycetin of IN 9:43AM October 27, 2010

Avandia is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus•

henrykirston of IN 9:42AM October 27, 2010

I had been on Avandia for at least 6 years and never had a problem, it was one of the few pills that gave me the least side effects when I first started taking them. I really liked Avandia and waited a long time to change. A new dr. suggested I change and that took me another 6 months. I was wondering, I had no problems so should I be worried about what may happen in the future for me because of Avandia. I was put on Actos which I'm told is the brother drug to Avandia. Should I worry about this drug now too. I started in Feb. of this year and it took me a long time to get used to the Actos and I would hate to hear that I may have to switch to something else. I have been a diabetic for many years and I hate it, I wish there were a cure! But in the mean time I try and take care of myself and hearing news like this scares me. Any advise would be appreciated.

ana morales of IL 2:28PM July 13, 2010

I've been on three diabetes meds. I don't know what to think. I felt better on the Avandia put have slowly got sicker. And it always comes back to drugs and which one works. They took me of Avandia because of high pulse rate. They then put me on Avandamet which made me sick. Now they have me on Metformin and I'm still getting sick. They keep doing more and more test. I lose weight and put it back on. All I want is to feel good have a chance to lose weight and know that I taking a safe drug. What I want to know is how that can be done. One drug is not going to work for everybody and everybody is going to have different reactions. So there has to be a way that we can help different people with different drugs and protect ourselfs too.Nobody should lose a drug that works for them and nobody should die over a drug either. So get your acts together and put out the facts so that doctors & paitents can decide witch drug will work for them. All the facts don't hide any of them.

s smith of IA 6:34PM July 11, 2010

To each person who responded with "I have been using Avandia for years and I am fine," I say simply, "Count your blessings." You were blessed with a genetic composition that permits your body to withstand the morbid Adverse Effects of Avandia. You are the ones that GlaxoSmithKline hides behind when they unfurl the "Benefits outweigh the Risks" banner.
If your remarks are sincere, ask yourselves, "Is my life more valuable in any way than the lives of the people whose deaths are linked to Avandia?" Avandia has been linked to more than 1,000 mortal outcomes throughout its entire market life. Steven Nissen (Cleveland Clinic) and John Buse (American Diabetes Association), both prominent medical doctors, questioned the safety of Avandia. GSK defended its product with smear campaigns against both doctors.
Avandia generated a multi-BILLION dollar income for GSK. The company is settling Avandia lawsuits for $100,000 per lawsuit. Looks like GSK is settling for pennies on the dollar. Oh yes! The "Benefits outweigh the Risks!"

Gene Siscoe of VA 10:41AM July 11, 2010

I was in the original blind study for Avandia two years before it was given a name and for two years after it was named while still being studied. It is difficult for me to believe that someone has been on the drug "almost 20 years" since it was initially approved back in 1999 when I was released from the study. Even if the writer above had also been in the study, the most he could have been taking Avandia is 15 years.

Darrell Groves of OH 10:41PM July 10, 2010

I was on Avandia from when it first came out until the earlier "black box" issue when my then-doctor substituted Actos for it. My weight, which had not been much of a problem within 6-months had gained nearly 50-lbs! I struggled with that for several years and have tried other medicines, but recently went back on Avandia with my endocrinologist's blessing. In the four months since, I have dropped nearly 25 lbs and have much better glucose control. I dread having to drop Avandia again.

R.B.Steinbach of CA 11:45AM July 10, 2010

I'm 85, have taken avandia for almost 20 yrs, 8mg., along with a
a heart pill and Lipitor. Blood surgar has alway been under control.
saw my doctor this week and he recommended that I stay the course. My general health is excellent.

John of AZ 11:18AM July 10, 2010

I have taken the medication for a couple a years now at maximum dosage. When the first test came out my doctor told me, "I not concerned." I see the doctor again in a couple of weeks, I wonder what is going to be said then.
I have had no problems taking the medication other than it is expensive. Maybe I can get something that works just as good and is cheaper.
In addition to Avandamet I take Januvia, which is again an expensive drug, even with my co-pays. I have to say though, my blood sugar is under control.

Charliemon57 of CA 10:37AM July 10, 2010

Gary, I sure hope you or a close family member of yours does not get an "allergic reaction" to some sort of medication that a drug company made a "mistake" on. I have worked for one of these poor and mistreated pharmaceutical companies, and trust me, the cost of research is not hurting them at all. IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY.

d a of CO 9:51AM July 10, 2010