Since May, 2007, significant concerns have emerged regarding a number of potentially adverse side effects of the drug Avandia.

Avandia (which is commonly known as Rosiglitazone) is a drug manufactured by GlaxoSmithKlein. It was approved by the FDA in 1999 for treatment of Type 2 diabetes.

During the past year the drug has been under very close scrutiny by the FDA because of reports of increased of congestive heart failure, increased hear attacks, bone fractures, liver failure, vision loss and premature death and, in some cases, death.

The concern has come about because in May, 2007, the President of the American College of Cardiology, Dr. Steven Nissen, published a report that indicated that those taking Avandia had a 43% higher risk of heart attacks and a 64% risk of dying from heart disease.

In November, 2007, the FDA ordered a "Black-box Warning" on all of the Avandia packaging to warn of increased risk of heart attacks and heart-related problems.

Recent information provided to the U.S. Senate Finance committee indicated that GlaxoSmithKlein was aware of the cardiac risks of Avandia for years before those risks became public. Significantly, the Senate Finance committee alleged that instead of warning patients about these risks, GlaxoSmithKlein "intimidated independent physicians, focused on strategies to minimize findings that rosiglitazone may increase cardiovascular risk, and sought ways to downplay findings at the rival drug ACTOS might reduce cardiovascular risk. . ."

If you or a loved one has been taking Avandia, you should consult with an attorney regarding your rights to pursue claims arising out of problems suffered while taking Avandia. This office is available to consult with you if you have been taking Avandia.