The doctor that helped focus scientific scrutiny on the heart dangers of Avandia says the diabetes drug remains controversial.
“Many physicians have stopped prescribing Avandia,” Dr. Nissen said.
Dr. Nissen points out, in a recent US News column, that the American Diabetes Association guidelines do not recommend taking Avandia. A different drug, marketed as Actos (pioglitazone) treats diabetes in the same way, without the same heart attack and heart failure risks posed by Avandia, said Dr. Nissen. Actos is made and sold by Takeda, a Japanese company. Avandia is sold by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
“In July, the FDA will convene an advisory panel to consider what action to take, including the possibility of removing the drug from the market,” Dr. Nissen said.
A recent Senate report harshly criticized GSK for hiding information that shows Avanida causes heart attacks and heart failures.