Avandia Recall Watch: More Evidence of Avandia Liver Toxicity, Liver Damage and Death
Data from a new study published this month provides further details about the potential risk of Avandia liver damage and death, adding to the reasons the FDA should finally demand a recall for the once-blockbuster diabetes drug to prevent any other people from suffering serious or life-threatening injuries.
>>MORE INFORMATION: Avandia Liver Failure Lawsuits
The consumer group Public Citizen published a report in the current issue of the medical journal Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, identifying at least 11 cases of Avandia liver toxicity reported to the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS) between 1997 and 2006. However, because most patients who develop liver damage from Avandia are likely never reported, Public Citizen estimates that one in every 44,000 users of Avandia suffer liver toxicity.
This provides even more evidence that an Avandia recall is necessary, as it has also been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks, heart failure, macular edema and other injuries. Public Citizen filed a petition last year asking the FDA to issue an Avandia ban, and we raised the questions nearly 9 months ago about how long it would take the FDA to act on this petition and protect consumers.
In a press release issued last week, Public Citizen outlined some of the many reasons a recall of Avandia should be issued:
In 2006, the number of prescriptions filled for the drug peaked at 13.2 million. That number dropped to 3.1 million in 2008. This means that about 8,500 prescriptions a day are still being filled for this dangerous drug.
Liver toxicity is only the most recently noted danger of Avandia; Public Citizen has encouraged diabetes sufferers to avoid taking the drug because it increases the risk of heart attack approximately 40 percent, doubles the risk of heart failure and bone fractures, and increases the risk of anemia and vision loss from macular edema, a swelling of the retina caused by fluids accumulating in the eye. There were 39 times more reports of macular edema per million prescriptions filled for Avandia than for an older diabetes drug, glipizide.
AVANDIA RECALL LAWYERS
The Avandia lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential lawsuits for liver toxicity, liver damage and death caused as a side effect of Avandia. Lawsuits are also being evaluated for users who suffered a heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure, vision loss known as macular edema and severe injuries from bone fractures.
To review a potential case for yourself, a friend or family member, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
