Louisiana Plaintiffs Claim Glaxo Failed to Adequately Warn About Dangers of Avandia

NEW ORLEANS - Ten Louisiana residents recently filed suit against GlaxoSmithKline Inc., for injuries they allegedly sustained as a result of taking the drug Avandia, a treatment for type II diabetes. Linda Edwards, et al., v. GlaxoSmithKline, Inc., No. 03-1198 (E.D. La.).

The plaintiffs' April 28 complaint alleges that the manufacturer failed to adequately warn consumers and medical professionals that the diabetes drug could cause heart injury, excessive fluid retention, fluid-overload disease, liver damage, liver failure, and in some cases death.

The suit further alleges that GlaxoSmithKline acted negligently because a 'reasonably prudent' manufacturer 'would have either withdrawn Avandia (rosiglitazone) …