Two Diabetes Drugs Double Heart Failure Risk: Study

Nissen believes that patients who are considering taking Avandia should discuss the decision with their doctor. "It is important that the totality of information be out there," he said. "But no patient should stop taking a medication [only] because they read a news report."

Another expert contends that the two drugs are safe if prescribed correctly.

"The risk for heart failure with these drugs may be one in 50, but if you can correctly identify who that person [at risk] is, you can safely treat the other 49 and not hurt anybody," said Dr. Larry Deeb, president for medicine and science at the American Diabetes Association.

Deeb believes the same holds true for the risk of heart attack.

The boost in risk of heart failure and heart attack does not warrant taking these drugs off the market, he added.

"They fit into the armamentarium of diabetes drugs if used properly," Deeb said.

More information

Learn more about diabetes drugs from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

SOURCES: Sonal Singh, M.D., assistant professor, internal medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, N.C.; Steven E. Nissen, M.D., chairman, department of cardiovascular medicine, Cleveland Clinic; Larry Deeb, M.D., president, medicine and science, American Diabetes Association; Andy Zambanini, M.D., director of clinical development, GlaxoSmithKline; August 2007Diabetes Care; July 26, 2007,New York Times