Avandia: Avandia May Get Bone Warning

GlaxoSmithKline Plc's diabetes drug Avandia may soon have a warning label to consumers advising that the drug causes an increased risk of bone fractures. A recent study shows that Avandia leads to an increased risk of broken bones in women. The effect has not yet been studied in men.

Glaxo's Avandia May Get Bone Warning, Analyst Says

Andrew Baum, a Morgan Stanley analyst, says that the new data "suggests that thiazolidinedione treatment is a risk factor and can contribute to excess incidence of fractures in diabetes." Baum is "almost certain" that Avandia will get a new warning about fracture risks in women on its label. GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturer of Avandia, says that the study's conclusions are "limited" and that any clinical relevance cannot yet be determined.