Avandia Suspended in Europe

The European Medicines Agency today recommended the suspension of the marketing authorisations for the rosiglitazone-containing anti-diabetes medicines Avandia, Avandamet and Avaglim. These medicines will stop being available in Europe within the next few months.

Patients who are currently taking these medicines should make an appointment with their doctor to discuss suitable alternative treatments. Patients are advised not to stop their treatment without speaking to their doctor.

Doctors have been advised to stop prescribing rosiglitazone-containing medicines whilst patients who are currently taking rosiglitazone-containing medicines should be reviewed in a timely manner to amend their treatment.

The suspension will remain in place unless the GSK holder can provide convincing data to identify a group of patients in whom the benefits of the medicines outweigh their risks.