Avandia Increases Risk of Osteoporosis and Fractures

In February, 2007, the FDA's Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program, MedWatch, announced that rosiglitazone (Avandia) may cause fractures of the upper arm, hand or foot, in women.

According to an article that appeared December 2, 2007 in Medline Plus, the online health information site of the National Institutes of Health, the diabetes drug appears to affect bones in two ways to cause osteoporosis, both by increasing the production bone-eroding cells and decreasing bone formation. Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens and thins the bone, leaving them more vulnerable to fractures.

Rosiglitazone was also recently found to cause cardiac problems including a potential risk of fatal cardiac events. Glaxo-Smith-Kline is working with the FDA to furnish more studies on the safety of Avandia.

People who are taking Avandia for type 2 diabetes management are advised not to stop the medication on their own. If you are on Avandia and have questions or concerns about your medication, please discuss them with your doctor.

More from your Diabetes guide...

• Increased Risk of Fractures in Women Who Take Rosiglitazone, Feb. 2007 Blog
• Avandia May Cause Risk of Heart Attack and Death, May, 2007 Blog
• Avandia to Receive New Black Box Warning, Nov. 2007 Blog

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