The Los Angeles Times reported that the prescription diabetes drug, Avandia, is linked with an increased risk of hearts attacks, heart failure and strokes, as released in two independent recent study findings.

As published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, one study found that Avandia, as compared with other diabetes medications, increased the risk of heart attacks by 28% to 38%.  The other study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that Avandia, as compared with another diabetes drug, Actos, increased the risk of stroke by 27%, heart failure by 25%, and death by 13%.

Both studies were released in advance in the Food and Drug Administration hearing that will determine if Avandia should stay on the market.  In the meantime, The American Diabetes Association has recommended doctors to discontinue prescribing Avandia.  The U.S. Senate Committee on Finance called for Avandia’s removal and charged the FDA with knowledge of the drug’s dangerous link to cardiovascular health risks before it was reported to the public.

The manufacturer of Avandia, GlaxoSmithKline, defended the safety of the drug and denied the findings reported by studies.

Read an earlier entry explaining a New York Times report that exposed the heightened heart failure risks of Avandia.

Patients taking Avandia that suffered serious side effects are welcome to contact a Lieff Cabraser attorney to learn about their legal rights for no charge or obligation.