Avandia is a diabetes drug that is usually given to senior citizens. It helps control blood sugar levels by making the cells of the body more sensitive to the action of insulin. Avandia is for people with Type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes. It is sometimes used in combination with other medications, but it is not for treating Type 1 diabetes. 
         However, there are recent studies that Avandia is harmful for the heart, and increases the chances of getting a heart attack.

         Taking Avandia with insulin or nitrates is not recommended. It already caused more than 300 deaths in 2009. The FDA said that based on this “contradictory evidence about the risks in patients treated with Avandia,” patients taking the drug, especially those who have had heart attacks or who have underlying disease, should consult their doctors about whether to continue taking the drug. Government reports strongly recommend the drug to be removed from the market.

        Avandia once was one of the biggest selling drugs in the world. Sales were $3.2 billion in 2006. These concerns were addressed in internal reports dated October 2008 but were not made public until now. It is preferable to go check with your doctor before taking this medication in order to prevent harmful effects, especially for older people who suffer from cardiovascular problems. 
       A trial is expected to be completed by 2020, but the company is hoping to report some results to the FDA by 2014. The company’s patent on Avandia expires in 2012.