A diabetes medicine is to be withdrawn from the New Zealand market after concerns about its unwanted effects on the heart.
The medicine, rosiglitazone, branded in New Zealand as Avandia, will be withdrawn on April 29 because a safety review found an elevated risk of cardiovascular events in patients treated with
this medicine.
Avandia was not publicly funded, and about 100 patients were taking it, Medsafe group manager Dr Stewart Jessamine said.
People taking Avandia have been advised to discuss alternative treatments with their doctor as soon as possible, but to continue taking the medication in the meantime.
``The withdrawal of this medicine from the market will not take place until April to allow time for the safe transfer of patients to alternative treatments,'' Dr Jessamine said.
The Medicines Adverse Reactions Committee, which advises the health minister on medicines safety issues, undertook a review of rosiglitazone after the European Medicines Agency suspended the medicine and the US Food and Drug Administration imposed significant restrictions last year.
