New Black Box Warning for Type II Diabetes Medicines

Those suffering from Type II diabetes, beware. The FDA has recently announced that they are issuing a new Black Box warning on the Type II diabetes medicines, Actos and Avandia. Both of these drugs have been connected with an increased risk for heart attacks and heart-related deaths. Anyone who has taken Actos or Avandia could potentially be at risk.

The warning urges physicians prescribing Actos and Avandia to watch their patients for signs of heart problems. Some symptoms of a heart problem are: shortness of breath, edema (retaining of fluid causing swelling of extremities), and excessive or rapid weight gain. Anyone experiencing any of these symptoms and taking Actos or Avandia should contact their doctor immediately.

Type II diabetes is a disorder that is characterized by high blood glucose due to an insulin deficiency. The insulin resistance is caused because the cells do not respond appropriately to insulin. Unlike Type I diabetes, Type II is a problem of cellular response to insulin rather then a problem with the production of insulin. The prevalence rate of diabetes have doubled from 1990-2005, causing the Center for Disease Control to declare it an epidemic.

For more information see:
The FDA warning: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/SAFETY/2002/summary-actos-avandia.PDF
The American Diabetes Association Website: http://www.diabetes.org/