GSK sued over Avandia

GlaxoSmithKline is facing another federal lawsuit for allegedly failing to warn of the risks associated with its diabetes drug Avandia.

The lawsuit claims that Avandia users are suffering heart attacks, strokes and congestive heart failure as a result of their taking the drug.

According to the complaint, Avandia can cause excessive fluid retention, fluid-overload disease, liver damage, liver failure and severe injury to the heart leading to cardiac arrest and death. GSK is also accused of knowing the drug could cause serious adverse health effects, but not adequately warning of the risks associated with the drug's use.

The plaintiffs are Martin and Carolyn Ban, Janet Benn and Isadore Benn, Chaffie and Louise Brown, Evelyn LaValla, individually and on behalf of Jane Burton deceased, Gladys R. Butler, Marie and Sam Cutrer, Mervin and Cynthia Douglas, Delphine Garretson and Joseph R. Garretson, deceased, Ellen Bienemy, individually and on behalf of Thelma Jones, deceased, Laurie Lee and Johnny Lee, Denise r. Mallard and Wanda Mallard, Madeline and David McNease, James W. Newell Jr., individually and on behalf of James Newell Sr., deceased, John J. Passero, Lloyd P. and Audrey Plaisance, Danne and Jo Ann Quintero, Mary Rinkus, Florence Ritzmann, individually and on behalf of Ernest Ritzmann, deceased, Joseph Roger, Donna and Michael Schedler, Carolyn Ann and Jack M. Serpas, Brenda Shiftlett, individually and on behalf of Arthur Shiftlett, Jr. deceased, Barbara and Eual H. and Rosemary Smith, Ervin L. and Shirley Taylor, Rosco and Betty Wells and Jeanette Williams.

The lawsuit was filed Feb. 9 in federal court in New Orleans.

In September 2010, the FDA required that the drug be significantly restricted for only patients with Type 2 diabetes who cannot control their diabetes with other medications.

The plaintiffs are represented by Douglas R. Plymale and James R. Dugan, II of Dugan Law Firm in New Orleans, Jeff Guerriero of Guerriero & Guerriero in Monroe and Frank J. D'Amico Jr. and Reed Bowman of The Law Offices of Frank J. D'Amico Jr. in New Orleans. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District A. J. McNamara is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:11-cv-00286