Avandia®

The type 2 diabetes medication, Avandia®, has been linked to an increase in the risk of heart attack, stroke and congestive heart failure. In September 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limited use of the drug to patients who did not respond to other diabetes drugs.

If you or someone you love has suffered a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure and have a history of taking Avandia® for diabetes, you might be eligible for financial compensation. Contact Flood Law Group, LLP to schedule a free review of your case.

Avandia® Boxed Warning

In February 2011, the FDA required that a new boxed warning be added to the Avandia® label, telling patients and physicians that using the drug could increase a person’s risk of:

• Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
• Congestive heart failure

New REMS Program

Under a new FDA Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS), physicians and patients will have to enroll in the REMS program and will be required to acknowledge they understand the risks of taking the medication. The REMS program, which is set to take effect in November 2011, is expected to significantly decrease the number of patients taking Avandia®, according to the FDA.

The federal agency said the new restrictions were "in response to data that suggest an elevated risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke, in patients treated with Avandia®." The drug has been controversial even within the FDA, as some question the impartiality of a panel that ruled against pulling the drug from the market.

Have You Been Hurt by Avandia®?

If you have taken Avandia® and experienced a heart attack, stroke, or congestive heart failure, our firm, the Flood Law Group, would like to represent you. We can help you seek and recover compensation for the pain and suffering you have endured as a result of taking Avandia®.

Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure

If you are currently taking Avandia®, it is important that you are aware of the potential side effects of the drug and their symptoms. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should visit your doctor immediately. These may be signs of congestive heart failure:

• Shortness of breath
• Rapid unexplained weight gain
• Swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Unusual difficulty exercising
• Continuous cough or wheezing with white or pink-tinged phlegm
• Abdominal swelling
• Lack of appetite
• Nausea

Symptoms of Heart Attack

Avandia® has also been linked to an increase in the risk of heart attack in some patients. Symptoms of heart attack include:

• Tightness, heaviness or pressure in the chest
• Pain in the jaw, neck, shoulders or arms
• Lightheadedness
• Fainting
• Paleness
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath

Call 911 if you have these symptoms.

Symptoms of Stroke

Rapid response is essential in treating stroke. You should call 911 immediately with any of the following symptoms:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden problem speaking, understanding, or confusion
• Sudden problems seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden problems with walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Contact an Experienced Avandia® Lawyer

If you are a current or former user of Avandia® and have had a heart attack, congestive heart failure, or stroke, Flood Law Group can help you. Contact us to schedule a free and confidential consultation with an experienced Avandia® attorney today.