Avandia (rosiglitazone) is a type 2 diabetes drug that has been approved in the United States since 1998, but now faces federal review due to serious to fatal side-effects.  

GlaxoSmithKline's Avandia will be reviewed by a federal panel on Wednesday, July 14, 2010, to determine if the drug should remain on the U.S. market.

Since 2006, Avandia users have reported numerous side effects, some of which caused severe medical problems:

• Headaches and back pain
• Anemia
• Swelling or water weight gain (edema)
• Bone fractures in upper arms, hands, and feet
• Vision problems, including partial blindness
• Upper respiratory infections, similar to colds
• Heart disease, heart attack
• Increased risk of stroke
• Liver failure
• Death

Related Articles:

• WSJ: FDA Scientists Debate Results Of Glaxo Avandia Study
• Forbes: One Sign FDA Could Pull Avandia