Takeda study finds Actos helps reduce diabetes heart attack risk

Takeda UK has announced that the results from secondary analyses of the PROactive Study found that its Actos (pioglitazone HCl) diabetes treatment significantly reduced the occurrence of fatal and non-fatal heart attacks and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in high-risk patients with type 2 diabetes who had a previous heart attack.

Presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2005, the study also showed that the addition of pioglitazone significantly reduced the likelihood that these patients will develop acute coronary syndrome, a blockage of the coronary artery that can be a warning sign for future heart attack or death.

Dr Miles Fisher, consultant physician, Glasgow Royal Infirmary said: “Seventy-five per cent of patients with Type 2 diabetes will ultimately die from cardiovascular disease. We can now say, with renewed confidence, that people with Type 2 diabetes who have already suffered a heart attack are likely to benefit from pioglitazone treatment.”

Dr John Purvis, consultant cardiologist, Altnagelvin Hospital, Northern Ireland, added that Pioglitazone should now be regarded as an additional cardioprotective agent for post-MI diabetic patients.

Pioglitazone gained a license in the UK in 2000 and is marketed by Takeda UK. Worldwide, more than seven million patients have been treated with Actos (pioglitazone) since 1999 and in excess of 50 million prescriptions have been written.

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