Both the Glitazones Carry Cardiac Risks

Robert W. Griffith, MD

Cardiologists have been tumbling over each other to report the results of analyses of studies done with the two major glitazones: rosiglitazone (Avandia®) and pioglitazone (Actos®). It looks as if this class of antidiabetic drugs will become used less and less, and will disappear as soon as other approaches take over.

The latest studies were two meta-analyses published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and one in the Lancet.

In an analysis of 140 randomized trials, there were (14,000+ patients) that compared rosiglitazone with placebo or an active comparative drug. The risk for heart attack in patients taking rosiglitazone was increased by about 40%, and the risk for heart failure was more than doubled; however, the risk for death from cardiovascular disease was not increased.

In the meta-analysis of 19 studies with pioglitazone (16,000+ patients) the risk for serious heart failure was significantly increased by 41%. However, there was a lower risk of death, heart attack and stroke.

The Lancet study analyzed 7 studies including 20,000 patients. They found a higher risk of heart failure from the glitazones, but it was not associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular mortality.

In summary, it seems that both glitazones are linked to an increased risk for heart failure in patients with type 2 diabetes, but only rosiglitazone appears to increase risk for heart attack. If you are diabetic and taking a glitazone, make sure your doctor is as aware of these risks as you are!

Source
HealthandAge Blog

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