May 25, 2007 (ADA) -- The following is a Statement from the American College of Cardiology, American Diabetes Association and American Heart Association Related to NEJM article, 'Effect of Rosiglitazone on the Risk of Myocardial Infarction and Death from Cardiovascular Causes': Today the New England Journal of Medicine published an article entitled, "Effect of Rosiglitazone on the Risk of Myocardial Infarction and Death from Cardiovascular Causes." The conclusions of this analysis of previous studies of rosiglitazone (brand name, Avandia) suggest that this oral agent used to treat type 2 diabetes may be associated with increased risk of heart attack and death from cardiovascular causes.
According to ACC, ADA and AHA, this study deserves serious thought and follow-up. As estimated here, the overall level of the risk associated with rosiglitazone appears to be small, but nonetheless one that must be considered carefully.

In the meantime, patients using this drug should talk to their health care provider to determine the most appropriate course of action. Patients should not stop taking any prescribed medications without first discussing the issue with their health care provider. Further research will be needed in this area to provide conclusive evidence.

It is very important to prevent diabetes when possible and to effectively treat it when it is present. The treatment of diabetes should be a team approach, with health care providers and patients working together to ensure patient education and empowerment.

The most life-threatening consequences of diabetes are heart disease and stroke, which strike people with diabetes more than twice as often as they do others. If you have diabetes, it is very important to control your blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Information from the FDA for rosiglitazone can be found at: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01636.html.