The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) recently implored the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to amend the Avandia (rosiglitazone maleate) label to include a statement that promotes a vegan diet. Avandia, which was released for market in mid-1999 from GlaxoSmithKlein, is a type 2 diabetes prescription drug that assists in the regulation of glucose among diabetes patients.



The PCRM was founded in 1985 and consists of physicians, doctors and laypersons that all work in unison for "compassionate and effective medical practice, research and health promotion," according to information obtained from the organization's Web site. PCRM is advocating the labeling of Avandia specifically because the "low-fat diet is a safer, more effective approach to lowering blood sugar levels than the drug itself," according to an article from Diabetes Health.

Avandia has been linked to an array of severe Avandia side effects among patients and the PCRM is urging the labeling be changed now as the FDA continues to weigh the decision whether or not to increase Avandia to a black box warning, which is the strongest warning label a prescription drug can have before being recalled.

Why a Vegan Diet with Avandia?

PCRM advocates a vegan diet because of a recent study published in an issue of Diabetes Care that compared a vegan diet, which consists of plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains while avoiding dairy and animal products, to that of the diet recommended by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), which encourages consumption of 15 to 20 percent protein, approximately 65 percent carbohydrates and mono-saturated fats like olive oil and less than 7 percent of the diet derived from saturated fats and meeting a 200 milligrams or less cholesterol per day.

According to the study, approximately 43 percent of participants who followed a low-fat vegan diet for at least 22 weeks reduced their dependence and likelihood for needing type 2 diabetes prescription drugs compared to only 26 percent of participants who maintained the ADA-recommended diet.

Understanding Avandia and Avandia Side Effects

Avandia is given to patients who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This specific type of diabetes is often associated with a high fat and high sugar diet among its patients and is typically developed as an adult, although, more children are developing type 2 diabetes because of the increasing obesity epidemic that plagues the nation.

The drug assists the body in using natural insulin to control and lower blood sugar levels, according to Avandia manufacturers. However, the FDA has recently discovered several severe complications caused by the consumption of the type 2 diabetes drug. Of the Avandia dangers include early on-set osteoporosis as well as heart failure among patients.

Those taking Avandia who show any signs and symptoms of the following are encouraged to consult with their physician immediately to cease consumption and halt potentially fatal side effects:

* hypoglycemia

* hyperglycemia

* upper respiratory problems

* shortness of breath

* headache

* nausea

* jaundice

* back pain

* fatigue

* inflammation of the nasal passages

* blurry vision/loss of vision

* anemia (red blood cell deficiency)

* loss of appetite

* menstrual cycle changes among women

Overcoming Avandia Risks

Avandia patients who have developed any of the drug's side effects are encouraged to immediately contact a medical professional to discuss discontinuing use of Avandia and to assess the potential damage caused by consumption of the drug.

Additionally, it is advisable for an Avandia patient to contact an experienced pharmaceutical attorney who may be able to offer a free legal consultation as to the development of a potential Avandia lawsuit that may retrieve monetary compensation for the damages caused by the drug.