By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter

The Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) Wednesday posted another warning about the use of diabetes treatment drug Avandia, made by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), for patients with heart conditions.

The announcement came as the U.S. drug administration is reviewing its possible risks. The results are expected to be released in July. If the drug is banned from sales there, it is likely to affect the KFDA's decision.

Avandia was subject to a safety alert over possible association between its main substance, rosiglitazone, and increased cardiovascular risks, including heart attacks, heart failure and others, in 2007. The FDA also requested a black box warning. The KFDA banned its mixed use following the case.

According to the Medical Herald, Avandia receives some 20 billion won in annual sales, topping the list in the 340 billion won domestic diabetes treatment market as of 2008.

Alongside Avandia, several other diabetes drugs are distributed here containing rosiglitazone: Sanofi Aventis' Amavan, GSK's Avandaryl, Yuhan Corporation's Rositazone and others. There have also been warnings about their possible side effects.

bjs@koreatimes.co.kr