Avandia (generic name: rosiglitazone) is an oral antidiabetic agent that has been associated with Congestive Heart Failure CHF and Liver Damage.

When Rezulin diabetes drug was recalled, Avandia was intended to replace it as a safer alternative. The American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association issued recommendations to guide the use of glucose-lowering drugs known as thiazolidinediones (TZDs), including Avanida.

Researchers say that in some people, Avandia may cause fluid retention, a condition known as edema, and swelling of the feet. Edema is also a classic symptom of congestive heart failure. The increase in fluid retention and therefore weight gain is usually seen in the first weeks after initiating therapy and then plateaus.

Because edema is a well-known side effect of these drugs, especially when combined with insulin therapy, researchers say that patients and healthcare providers should be aware of the risk of congestive heart failure when using Avandia.

According to a consensus statement released by the AHA and ADA in the Dec. 9 issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, people with moderate to severe congestive heart failure should not use these drugs.

The warning comes after a Mayo Clinic study was released that identified Congestive Heart Failure in Actos and Avandia patients. This study was published in the September 9 2004 issue of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings and reported on six cases of congestive heart failure in people taking these drugs.

The study concluded that diabetics who have mild heart disease or any problems with their kidneys could be at a greater risk of developing congestive heart failure if they take Avandia or Actos.