Diabetes Drugs Linked to Higher Risk of Heart Problems

Avandia is a drug to help lower blood sugar. It has been blamed for raising the risk of heart attacks and strokes among people with diabetes. The FDA recently asked the manufacturer to put a strong warning about cardiovascular complications in the prescribing information. It had appeared that a similar drug, Actos, was less likely to lead to heart attacks and strokes, although both drugs cause heart failure. A new study conducted through the health insurance company WellPoint shows no difference between Actos and Avandia with regard to heart attacks, heart failure and death. Investigators are now struggling to determine whether Avandia is as safe as Actos or if Actos is as dangerous as Avandia.
[Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, online Aug 24, 2010]