Some Diabetic Drugs Double the Fracture Risk

A relatively new class of anti-diabetic drugs has been found to be related to an increased risk of fractures in women. This is reported in a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

This study examined 10 published clinical trial results to see if the use of thiazolidinediones – oral anti-diabetic drugs – affected the risk of fractures in women with type 2 diabetes. The two currently available thiazolidinediones are rosiglitazone (Avandia®) pioglitazone (Actos®).

Among the 45,000 patients that were included in the analysis there was a significant increase in the risk of fractures in women who took a thiazolidinedione for at least one year, compared with those not taking one of these drugs. There was no significant increase linked to use of this type of diabetic drug in men. Bone mineral density in women taking a thiazolidinedione was significantly reduced In two of the randomized studies included in the analyses.

Although most of the side effects of interest with this class of antidiabetic agents are related to cardiovascular effects, these new findings are sure to arouse interest and a lot of further investigation. There is no obvious reason for the changes seen, but the investigators speculate that the drugs may cause fractures by replacing bone marrow with fat cells. Time will tell. In the meantime, if you’re a woman on Avandia or Actos, you may want to ask your doctor if you should have a bone density exam.