FDA Experts Vote to Keep Avandia on the Market with new warnings

20 of 33 outside scientists assisting the FDA in assessing the Diabetes drug voted to keep Avandia,, on the market with new warnings about the risks of heart attacks and strokes. Two recent studies, one at The Cleveland Clinic and one at the FDA recommended withdrawal of the drug from the market. The numbers of diabetes patients increases each year. Presently, diabetics have 12 classes of drugs to choose from. Internally the FDA experts disagree on what studies should be done on Avandia as well as how to interpret the studies which have already been done. Heart failure is thought to be caused by excess fluid retention as a side effect of the drug.