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Last updated January 6, 2009

AVANDIA FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Avandia?

Avandia is a prescription drug used by people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus to help control their blood sugar.

What is rosiglitazone?

Rosiglitazone maleate is the generic name for the drug marketed as Avandia. Avandia is the brand name.

What is the difference between Avandia, Avandaryl, and Avandamet?

All three medications are used by diabetics to control blood sugar and all three contain rosiglitazone maleate. The difference between them is that while Avandia only contains rosiglitazone, Avandaryl and Avandamet combine rosiglitazone with other diabetic medications.

Avandaryl combines rosiglitazone (Avandia) with glimepiride, a diabetes drug that helps the body release more insulin.

Avandamet combines rosiglitazone (Avandia) with metformin, a diabetes drug that helps the liver make less sugar.

What are the dangerous Avandia side effects?

Recently published studies have shown that rosiglitazone, found in Avandia, Avandaryl, and Avandamet, may be associated with serious and potentially fatal side effects including heart attacks, congestive heart failure, liver failure, macular edema (swelling of the retina), and in female patients, bone fractures of the arms, hands, and feet. Many patients have died from these complications.

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Should I stop taking Avandia?

Always talk to your doctor first before discontinuing a prescription medication.

Studies have shown that rosiglitazone, found in Avandia, Avandaryl, and Avandamet can cause life-threatening injuries. There may be safer alternative treatments available. It is important that you talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of all available treatment options.

You have the right to be fully informed about the risks of any medication. If you have any questions or concerns about the safety of Avandia, Avandamet, or Avandaryl, talk to your doctor.

Has Avandia been recalled?

No, at this point in time Avandia has not been recalled. Nor have the related medications Avandaryl and Avandamet. Warnings have been added to the labels and the FDA is continuing their investigations into the dangerous medical complications resulting from these medications.

What are the Avandia lawsuits about?

For years, the public did not know that rosiglitazone could cause life threatening injuries. Millions of people took Avandia, Avandaryl, and Avandamet, unaware of the risks involved. Many have died and countless others have suffered serious side effects.

The drug company knew about these risks for years and concealed them from the public. Patients and their families are now suing GlaxoSmithKline seeking compensation for their losses. See Who's to Blame? for more information.

Do I have an Avandia case?

If you have taken Avandia, Avandaryl, or Avandamet and suffered from serious injury or illness as a consequence, then you may have a valid claim against the drug company.

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You should have your case evaluated by an attorney with experience in the field of pharmaceutical litigation. The Law Offices of Howard L. Nations is a national pharmaceutical litigation firm with the experience, knowledge, and resources to handle your case.

Contact our firm for a free case evaluation with one of our pharmaceutical attorneys. For more information, see Your Legal Rights.