Heart News
May 21 , 2007
Important Health Update
An important article has been published electronically by the New England Journal of Medicine* suggesting that the use of the drug Rosiglitazone (Avandia), a drug commonly used to treat patients with type II diabetes mellitus, might be associated with a risk of heart problems. If you are currently taking Rosiglitazone, Cleveland Clinic recommends that you contact your physician about how best to manage your diabetes. Do not stop taking your medications without speaking to your doctor.
An important article has been published electronically by the New England Journal of Medicine* suggesting that a drug commonly used to treat patients with type II diabetes mellitus might be associated with a risk of heart problems.
In an analysis of 42 trials, Steven Nissen, MD, Chairman of Cardiovascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, found that use of the drug rosiglitazone (Avandia™) raises patients’ risk of heart attack and cardiovascular death by 43% and 64%, respectively, in comparison to the use of a placebo or other anti-diabetic therapies.
Until further information becomes available, Cleveland Clinic is urging its patients taking this medication to please consult their physician should they have any further questions. There are other medications that can be used as an alternative treatment for type 2 diabetes. Do not stop taking your medications without speaking to your doctor.
The observations noted in today’s article have prompted a request by the Cleveland Clinic Chief of Staff to have our Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee thoroughly review the information and provide additional guidance to our physicians regarding the use of rosiglitazone (Avandia). This will of course include consideration of any action taken by the FDA.
Find more information about the article:
Other press articles of interest:
© Copyright 2009 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All rights reserved.
(*a new browser window will open with this link. The inclusion of links to other web sites does not imply any endorsement of the material on the web sites or any association with their operators.)
