A leading cardiologist, Steven Nissen, found that Avandia (generic name: rosiglitazone), a diabetes drug, "was associated with significant increase in the risk of myocardial infarction and with an increase in the risk of death from cardiovascular causes that had borderline significance."
The study concluded that despite the study's limitation, " patients and providers should consider the potential for serious adverse cardiovascular effects of treatment with rosiglitazone for type 2 diabetes."
His findings were based on an analysis of 42 RCTs and published online on May 21 by NEJM. "Effect of Rosiglitazone on the Risk of Myocardial Infarction and Death from Cardiovascular Causes". The article will appear in the June 14 issue of the Journal.
Avandia is a top-selling diabetes drug manufacturered by GlaxoSmithKline, introduced in 1999 and is widely used to lower blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Nissen’s analysis on Avandia has caused the Glaxo stock down more than 6% in midday trading.
Dr. Nissen is a strong critic on drug safety, he and colleague, Eric Topol, a well-known cardiologist, raised concerns about the safety of Vioxx in JAMA in 2001 that led to the withdrawal of the drug from the market in 2004. Dr Topol lost his job after testimony against the drug manufacturer Merck in federal trial.
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