Doctor on Call: What is safer than Avandia?

North Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - "I've been taking Avandia to control my blood sugar.  I want to get off it. Are other drugs safer?" A viewer in North Syracuse asks.

Internist says the latest study on Avandia compared it to a rival drug called Actos.  The study found Avandia is more likely to cause strokes and heart related death than the Japanese-made Actos.

Since the news about Avanida first started surfacing a couple of years ago, Actos has gobbled up 70 percent of the market for diabetes drugs in Avania's class. But our doctor says don't go off Avandia on your own. Talk with your individual doctor about another drug to control your blood sugar.