Fresh research from Switzerland indicates that the diabetes drug Avandia could pose further risks to diabetic patients. Avandia caused media furore last year when it emerged that the drug dramatically increased the risk of heart problems and death amongst diabetics .
The decline of the drug has impacted on company sales of manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline. Now, it appears that the diabetes drug alongside a similar drug of the same class Actos, could increase the risk of bone fracture by almost 50 per cent.
Both drugs are prescribed to regulate blood sugar levels, but it appears that both increase the risk of brittle bones and osteoporosis . Any diabetic being put onto Avandia should therefore, experts say, be thoroughly screened for heart problems and bone-density.
How the news impacts on Avandia remains to be seen.
