GlaxoSmithKline’s diabetes drug Avandia will increase cardiac risks while Takeda’s Actos may reduce cardiac risks. These research results were published in the latest edition of Journal of the American Medical Association. The research was done on 14,000 patients in 4 clinical trials over 1 year period. Actos protect patients from heart attacks, strokes and death. It lowers cardiac risks by 18% while Avandia increases heart attack risk by 42%. But both drugs raise risk for heart failure. Both Actos and Avandia are Glitazones, diabetic drugs which lowers resistance to insulin. But Pioglitazone (Actos) reduces heart attack risk while Rosiglitazone (Avandia) increases heart attack risk. FDA may come under tremendous pressure to remove Glaxo’s Avandia from the market. Until May 2007, Avandia is the best selling diabetic drug in the world. Its prescription levels are dropped after Cleveland clinic researchers reported 43% rise in heart attacks in diabetics who are using Avandia, Rosiglitazone. This was published in the New England Journal of Medicine on May 21. Based on the analysis, the researchers estimate that for every 220 diabetic patients treated with Avandia for one year, one will have a heart attack linked to the drug. And, there would be one case of heart failure for every 30 people taking the drug for one year. Avandia received regulatory approval in 1999 and at that time no serious adverse events were recognized. However, since approval, Avandia has been linked to heart failure, vision loss, heart attacks and fractures in women. In United States, 3.5 million diabetics are taking Avandia. This could translate into more than 4,000 excess heart attacks and 9,000 excess heart failure events. Like Avandia, Actos also raised risk for heart failure by 40%. However, unlike Avandia, patients receiving Actos had an 18 percent lower risk of heart attack, stroke or death than patients in the control group. Both Avandia and Actos are carrying Blackbox warning on their labels. Whether Glaxo will withdraw Avandia from markets or not, its prescription levels may decline by almost 100%. No physician in his right sense will prescribe a drug whose side effects are severe enough to cause a death. Avandia will face Vioxx fate. Please share your opinion on this controversy. … [Read more...]
Blood pressure drugs protect diabetic hearts
According to new research reports, Diuretic and Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE) combination protect diabetic patients from heart diseases. This combination drug therapy reduces heart disease risk by 18%. Researchers used ACE Inhibitor (Perindopril, 2mg) and Diuretic (Indapamide, 0.625 mg) in the research studies. This therapy reduces risk from both macro vascular and micro vascular complications. This study was presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2007 in Vienna. Diabetes and heart failure: Over the course of the four years, the researchers found that people with the combined therapy had an average reduction in systolic blood pressure of 5-6 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure of 2 mm Hg compared with the placebo group. People who got the combined therapy were 9 percent less likely to have a heart disease event, such as stroke or heart attack, over the treatment period. They were also 18 percent less likely to die from heart disease and 14 percent less likely to die from any cause. By 2030, an estimated 350 million people will be living with diabetes worldwide. Heart disease kills two out of three people with diabetes, who are at increased risk of stroke, heart attacks and related conditions such as degenerative eye disease. Heart diseases are the most common cause of death in diabetics followed by Kidney diseases. Diabetes is frequently associated with Blood pressure, Obesity and high serum cholesterol levels. According to recent surveys in Europe, 30-40% of heart failure patients have diabetes. Diabetes worsens the prognosis and complicates the management of heart failure. Mortality is more in heart failure patients with diabetes especially in women. Best Treatment: 1. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and Angiotensin receptor antagonists are most preferred treatment in these patients. 2. Coronary artery bypass in patients with multi-vessel coronary disease is considered to be preferable to catheter interventions with regard to long term outcome. 3. Control of Diabetes with Insulin saves patient from cardio-vascular diseases. 4. Rosiglitazone has negative impact on heart even though it is a good diabetic drug. It increases the rate of occurrence of Myocardial Infarction and Heart failure by fluid retention. 5. Weight reduction, physical exercise and reduction of cholesterol level are best treatment to reduce future cardio vascular complications in diabetic patients. … [Read more...]
Diabetes: Diet and Blood tests
Diabetes can damage the blood vessels, including the arteries that supply blood to the brain. This damage makes it easier for fatty deposits (plaques) to form in the arteries. The build-up of arterial plaques (atherosclerosis) can choke off blood supply to raise the blood pressure, leading to coronary heart disease. Timings of Blood sugar tests: Time of testing - Normal readings/per 100 ml of blood: 1. before breakfast - 80-120 mg. 2. 2 hours after breakfast - 140—180mg 3. Before lunch--------------80—120mg; 4. Bed time------------------100—140mg; 5. At 3am--------------------70—140mg. Diabetes and Diet: 1. High Glycemic foods raise the blood sugar levels. Then extra insulin is produced, quickly sending sugars into blood cells, this is extra burden to the pancreas. 2. Effective management of diabetes depends on a delicate balance between medication and diet control and also to keep the weight under control (neither over weight nor under weight). 3. To maintain blood sugar levels close to the normal levels. 4. Doing exercise regularly and avoiding stress and strain. 5. Avoid sweets and fried foods, which raise cholesterol levels in the blood (leading to heart disease). 6. Every adult requires 2000 calories per day to maintain optimum health. 7. The diet of the person with diabetes should consists of a good combination of nutrients i.e.;-carbohydrates, proteins, fat, vitamins and minerals, in order to stay fit and fine and to keep the blood sugar levels in check. … [Read more...]
Avandia may cause Heart disease
According to the study published in New England Journal of Medicine, Avandia, drug used in Type2 diabetes, increases the risk of cardiac-related fatalities by 64 per cent % and heart attacks by 43%. Avandia (Rosiglitazone) is in use since 1999 to treat Type2 diabetes generally in combination with Metformin or Glimipride. The study was conducted over the extensive period of 2 years on 28,000 people. According to the study, 65% of deaths among diabetic patients using this drug is due to heart disease. This drug is in wide use worldwide with more than 6 million people are taking this drug solely or in combination to control blood sugar level. Diabetes affects 18 million people in America and 200 million people worldwide. Avandia (Rosiglitazone) is a Thiazolidinedione group of drug which was widely used in the treatment of type2 diabetes. Previously Troglitazone was removed from the market due to hepato-toxicity. The thiazolidinediones are agonists for peroxisome-proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR). GlaxoSmithKline questioned the authority of this research and released a report supporting its argument. Food and Drug administration issued an alert and appointed a panel to look into this issue. Previously, Merck drug pain killer “Vioxx” was removed from the market on the similar concerns (heart diseases). Please share your opinion on this controversy. … [Read more...]
