June 4, 2007 – The drug Avandia, which allows type 2 diabetics to control their blood sugar, may have caused six deaths in Canada since its approval in 2000.
In fact, 28 diabetics who took Avandia suffered a heart attack in the past seven years. Nineteen of them died.
According to Renée Bergeron, spokesperson for Health Canada, only six of these deaths could be associated with the use of Avandia. “However, the nature of the cause and effect link between taking the drug and death has not yet been determined,” she said.
Recently, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that Avandia increased the risk of having a heart attack in people with diabetes by 43%, and the risk of dying from a cardiovascular disorder by 64%1.
Health Canada says it wants to analyze the results of this study. For the moment, no action is yet envisaged regarding the Avandia.
The Federal Ministry recommends that those taking Avandia continue to take their medication until they have seen a doctor.
Martin LaSalle – PasseportSanté.net
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