A drug commonly used to control diabetes increases the risk of heart attacks and possibly death, researchers reported yesterday in the latest episode to raise safety concerns about a widely prescribed drug.The drug, Avandia, which about 1 million Americans take to keep their blood sugar at safe levels, boosts the risk of a heart attack by 43 percent and may increase the risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke by 64 percent, the analysis found.
"This is very concerning," said Steven E. Nissen of the Cleveland Clinic, who conducted the analysis with colleague Kathy Wolski. The report was released early by the New England Journal of Medicine because of the public health implications. "When you have a drug widely used in a population with a high inherent rate of heart disease, it's very, very concerning."
Nissen and others said patients taking the drug should immediately consult with their doctors about whether they should switch to another medication.
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