Avandia Bone Fractures: Women Face Increased Risk
Prior studies have already identified a potential increased risk of bone fractures from Avandia side effects, but new research suggests that women who take the drug for at least a year could double their risk of a fracture, especially older women. The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are investigating potential Avandia fracture lawsuits, as well as potential claims for individuals who have suffered a heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure, liver failure or macular edema.
>>INFORMATION: Avandia Lawsuits
The new research was conducted by Dr. Sonal Singh and colleges at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Their findings, which appear online in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, found that women taking Avandia or Actos, another drug in the same class of medications as Avandia, could double their risk of a bone fracture when compared with the normal risk for their age groups.
For women in their 70s, researchers found that one out of every 20 women taking the drugs for at least one year could suffer a fracture. For women in their 50s, the risk is one out of every 55 women.
Prior studies have linked Avandia side effects to bone fractures, and a study published in the December 2007 issue of the journal Nature Medicine, which involved the study of mice, offered a possible explanation for this side effect. Researchers found that Avandia not only inhibited the formation of new bones, but also increased the breakdown of bones, which could lead to brittle bones that are more likely to break.
According to an article in The USA Today, Dr. Singh suggested that the Actos and Avandia fracture risk combined with the previously reported heart risks call into question the minimal benefits provided by the drugs in lowering blood-sugar levels.
In October 2008, the consumer group Public Citizen filed a petition with the FDA calling for an Avandia recall, since the risk of serious side effects outweighs the benefits of the drug, especially when it is considered that there are safer alternative treatments available.
AVANDIA BONE FRACTURE LAWYERS
If you, a friend or family member have suffered a bone fracture, heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure, liver failure or sudden vision lose as a side effect of Avandia, you may be entitled to compensation as a result of the drug maker’s failure to adequately warn about the risks. To have our Avandia bone fracture lawyers review a potential claim, request a free consultation.
