Two diabetics taking the new oral insulin-enhancing drug Avandia had severe negative reactions to the medication, doctors reported. The two Pennsylvania men suffered liver failure or poisoning after several weeks on the drug, and recovered after it was discontinued. Another popular oral medication for diabetics, Rezulin, has been associated with severe liver failure in dozens, if not hundreds of diabetics since it was approved in 1997.

Both Rezulin and Avandia are thiazolidinediones, a class of compounds that helps diabetics by boosting the body's ability to absorb insulin, thereby lowering blood-sugar levels. Both Avandia and Rezulin have been popular with the estimated 14 million diabetics in the United States, most of whom have what is known as Type 2 diabetes. It has been especially useful for diabetics who did not respond well to other treatments. Avandia is used by more than 350,000 diabetics in the United States. Because of the adverse reactions to Rezulin, the FDA has required stricter monitoring of patients taking it. The drug was taken off the market in Britain in 1997, and the number of prescriptions written for Rezulin in the United States declined more than 10 percent over the last year, according to IMS Health, a company that gathers pharmaceutical statistics. The arrival of Avandia had been eagerly anticipated last year because it did not cause any liver damage in studies involving more than 4,000 patients before it was approved.

Washington Post Tuesday, January 18, 2000; Page A

Annals of Internal Medicine January 18, 2000, 132

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

The diet described in another story in this week's newsletter describes why people are coming down with diabetes. Folks, this is another no-brainer. These drugs are NOT the way to control diabetes, unless you are willing to risk severe liver complications and even death. It is good to see that the use of Rezulin has declined about 10 percent--now, if we can just get the other 90 percent to be discontinued. Fortunately, there is a solution for nearly all diabetics and it involves following simple dietary principles --this is the way to go. Following an exercise program is also another huge part of the puzzle, as you require about one hour of daily exercise to improve insulin receptor sensitivity.