Another  FDA Drug Safety Alert was posted on the FDA website on 2/3/11 regarding Avandia (rosiglitazone) .

Avandia (rosiglitazone) labels now contain important updated information about cardiovascular risks and use in certain patients.

Besides listing the cardiovascular risks, the drug labels have been revised to state that rosiglitazone and rosiglitazone containing medicines should only be used in patients already being treated with these medicines and in patients whose blood sugar cannot be controlled with other anti-diabetic medicines and who, after consulting with their healthcare professional, do not wish to use pioglitazone-containing medicines (Actos, Actoplus Met, Actoplus Met XR, or Duetact).

The full text of the FDA Drug Safety Communication  also states that restricting rosiglitazone containing medicines’ availability has not yet been approved, but approval is expected by spring 2011.

If you are taking rosiglitazone, you should read the medication guide that comes with your prescription, and initiate a conversation with your doctor concerning the risk and benefits of continuing to take rosiglitazone.  Read the full text of the alert on the FDA Drug Safety website  and bookmark it for future updates.

Rosiglitazone is marketed as Avandia, Avandamet, and Avandaryl.

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