Diabetes Drug Avandia Raises Risk of Heart Disease
The Journal of the American Medical Association Sept. 13 report outlines that the diabetes drug Avandia increased heart attacks by 42 percent and doubled rates of heart failure. The report mentioned was based on a meta-analysis which means that the reasearchers used data from multiple studies. An interesting factoid is that in the package insert, the drugs maker, Glaxo Smith Kline, notes under adverse reactions relating to cardiovascular events: Carviovaxular edema (5%) and an exacerbation of Congestive Heart Failure (<1%)
The way that Avandia works is by lowering blood glucose levels by improving target cell response to insulin, without increasing pancreatic insulin secretion. This mechanism of action is much better than many of the older classes of oral diabetic drugs which basically increased pancreatic insulin secretion, basically over working and wasting the pancrease without addressing the underlying core issue. This being said, such an increase in cardiovascular issues is uncceptable, the end result being a need for better education and a preventative focus so people do not have to find themselves in such a predicament.
Avandia is used to treat type 2, or non-insulin dependant diabetes. This was once known as adult onset diabetes, though the disease is finding itself in younger adults and children.
Non-insulin dependant diabetes means that the body is still producing its own insulin, though possibly not enough, or there is a problem in the effective utilization to control blood sugar.
Insulin dependant diabetes is basically when the body is not kicking out the insulin, possibly the islet cells that do so are destroyed, thus requiring the need for an outside source. Insulin dependant diabetes can occur at any age, though commonly in earlier years. There is worldwide research now showing that there might be an element of infection at work here.
The interesting thing about this study is that it focus’ on a drug that treats the type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependant diabetes), which is often controlled, improved and even eradicated by diet, lifestlye and nutritional changes. People who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are often at risk for heart disease and other illness’ that fall under the metabolic syndrome title (see previous article on hidden sources of sugar). This being said would’nt it be prudent to monitor peoples blood sugar levels and take action BEFORE they need such medication.