Say Goodbye to Rosiglitazone aka Avandia

Well, it's finally happened, and none too soon.  After study after study since 2007 pointed towards a greater risk of negative outcomes compared to its competitor, the FDA is finally pulling the plug on rosiglitazone, sold here in the States as Avandia, as of this coming November.  Interestingly, it won't be completely banned from use, but so many restrictions will be placed on it that the effect will be essentially the same.

So why do I feel so different about rosiglitazone as compared to acetaminophen?  As I mentioned yesterday, there's only one study linking acetaminophen to cancer, as opposed to it's well known liver toxicity when consumed in excess.  Plus, it is the only non-aspirin anti-pyretic.  In other words, while both can lower fever, acetaminophen stands in a class of its own, different from the many examples of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, including aspirin & ibuprofen.

On the other hand, rosiglitazone has a competitor, pioglitazone, in its class, which is capable of doing all the things that rosiglitazone can do but with less risk.  Granted the side effect profile is the same, eg liver toxicity & fluid retention.  However, pioglitazone tends to raise HDL cholesterol rather than lower it and no increase in heart attack rates, congestive heart failure exacerbation, or mortality has been associated with it, unlike rosiglitazone.

Just in case you've failed to respond to pioglitazone but have done well on rosiglitazone, all is not lost.  Your physician just has to document as much and that you've been advised of your increased risk for a heart attack, exerbation of congestive heart failure, and/or death.

But let's not forget that the real solution is low glycemic nutrition & regular exercise, both aerobic & resistance.