A recent study from Yale School of Public Health and other institutions has found that the diabetes drug rosiglitazone is linked to a higher risk of heart problems, particularly heart failure.
Rosiglitazone is a thiazolidinedione, a type of medication used to help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar levels.
While it can be effective for managing diabetes, it has long been debated whether it also increases the risk of serious heart issues. Concerns over its safety have led to the suspension of the drug in Europe and previous restrictions on its use in the U.S.
Since 2007, multiple studies have examined whether rosiglitazone increases the risk of heart attacks, but their findings have been inconsistent. One problem with these past studies is that they did not have access to detailed, individual patient data, making it harder to get a clear picture of the drug’s actual risks.
The new study is the most comprehensive analysis of rosiglitazone’s heart risks to date. Researchers analyzed data from over 130 clinical trials, involving more than 48,000 adults who took the drug for at least 24 weeks. They compared people who took rosiglitazone to those who were given another treatment or a placebo.
The results showed that patients taking rosiglitazone had a 33% higher risk of experiencing a serious heart-related event, such as:
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Death from cardiovascular or other causes
In total, there were 274 cardiovascular events among 11,837 patients taking rosiglitazone, compared to 219 eventsamong 9,319 patients in the control group.
The researchers say these findings demonstrate the importance of using detailed patient data to evaluate drug safety. They also emphasize the need for greater transparency in clinical trials and better data sharing to ensure that potential risks of medications are accurately assessed.
While rosiglitazone is still available in some countries, this study raises concerns about its continued use for diabetes management. Patients taking this medication should discuss the risks and benefits with their doctors to explore safer alternatives if necessary.
This research was published in BMJ, reinforcing the need for careful monitoring of diabetes drugs and their long-term effects on heart health.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about Vitamin D and type 2 diabetes, and what you need to know about avocado and type 2 diabetes.
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