Actos and Avandia Double Fracture Risk in Diabetes Patients

A new study that analyzed over 12 years of data from the UK
suggests that the diabetes drugs Avandia and Actos may double or even triple
the likelihood of a bone fracture in diabetes patients. Swiss researchers
compared about a thousand patients who suffered fractures with 3,728 matched
patients who did not experience fractures. The results were troubling to say
the least.

Over the course of the study, most of the patients took
several diabetes drugs. But those who refilled their Actos or Avandia prescriptions eight
times or more — about 12 to 18 months of use — had nearly twice the fracture
risk of other patients.

Furthermore the study found that patients who refilled their
prescriptions for Avandia and Actos 15 times or more tripled their risk
experiencing bone fractures. The study found no increased risk with other
diabetes medications.

Avandia and Actos have also been linked to an increased risk of heart problems. The sales of Avandia have been nearly cut in half over the
past year due to heart concerns made public last May by a study published in
the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine.