Type 2 diabetics must avoid the Actos trap

Not so tender trap

I hope you didn’t fall into it.

You see, last year the FDA helped set a trap for type 2 diabetics with this shocking report: Over the past decade, it is estimated that 48,000 patients experienced stroke, heart failure, or death because they used Avandia instead of Actos (two best selling type 2 diabetes drugs).

That was disastrous news for GlaxoSmithKline (the maker of Avandia), but a huge gift for Takeda Pharmaceuticals (the maker of Actos).

Takeda executives seized the opportunity and launched an advertising blitz in high-profile publications like Time, Parade, and USA Today.

And the new batch of ads delivered a very comforting promise: “Actos has been shown to lower blood sugar without increasing your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.”

Thousands, maybe millions of doctors and their type 2 patients may have stampeded straight into the trap…

Ignoring the red flags

With all the Avandia controversy swirling around in 2010, this detail about Actos got very little attention: An FDA official confirmed that animal trials have shown that Actos might increase bladder cancer risk.

“Might” increase? Animal trials?

I’m sure most type 2 patients blew right past that warning because they thought Actos was their safest option.

But now it’s time for a second look…

A few days ago, France’s drug authority told doctors to stop prescribing Actos based on a new study that links the drug to a slight bladder cancer risk.

That’s scary, indeed, but I don’t think it will slowdown the Actos surge in the U.S. unless patients and doctors stop and take the rest of the overlooked details about Actos into consideration…

Avandia and Actos are in the same class of drugs. So anyone concerned about Avandia safety has got to be concerned about Actos as well. For instance, USA Today reports that both drugs are proven to raise the risk of fractures, weight gain, fluid retention and heart failure.

That’s right: heart failure.

Also, during an FDA panel discussion last year, the expert panelists were asked if Avandia was deadlier than Actos. Seven said yes, but 14 said they couldn’t come to a conclusion.

Meanwhile, 12 members said that Avandia was just as deadly as Actos.

Hmmm…somehow those details didn’t get much attention while the Takeda sales pitch was steering thousands of new customers out of one frying pan and into another.

What’s a type 2 diabetic to do?

If you’ve looked over the evidence and you’re not one bit enthusiastic about a lifetime commitment to Actos or other diabetic drugs, you’re certainly not alone.

That’s why we’ve created a free special HSI report titled “Diabetes Defeated.” In it, you’ll find research on about the best natural options and botanical extracts for helping to control blood sugar levels without increasing grave heart risks.

And best of all: No risk of heart failure, bladder cancer, or fractures.

Sources:
“France suspends Takeda diabetes drugs use” Reuters, 6/9/11, reuters.com
“Kick ‘Em When They’re Down: New Actos Ads” Ed Silverman, Pharmalot, 7/15/10, pharmalot.com
“Doctors say it’s already over for diabetes drug Avandia” Rita Rubin, USA Today, 7/20/10, usatoday.com
“FDA Panel Votes to Restrict Avandia” Gardiner Harris, NewYork Times, 7/14/10, prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com