Cleveland researchers have found that the widely used diabetes pill Actos appears to lower a patient's chances of death by a heart attack or stroke, unlike its close competitor Avandia. However, Actos also carries an increased risk of nonfatal heart failure, the analysis showed, confirming earlier studies.

Researchers analyzed 19 clinical trials of the drug Actos and concluded that the medicine carries cardiovascular benefits not seen in other diabetes drugs

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said on Tuesday that GlaxoSmithKline Plc. and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd. have agreed to include "black- box" warnings for the controversial diabetes drugs Avandia and Actos.

The warnings, the strictest ever a prescription drugs can bear, means that the medicines can cause or worsen heart failure. The patients are advised to closely monitor the medicine for symptoms

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to seek comments from drug safety experts on Monday if GlaxoSmithKline's diabetes drug Avandia should carry label warnings of heart attack risk.

On July 30th, the FDA's Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs advisory committee and the Drug Safety and Risk Management advisory panel will discuss cardiovascular risks associated Avandia's class of drugs, thiazolidinediones

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves a once-daily pill called Duetact for the treatment of diabetes.

The drug combines diabetes drugs Actos and Amaryl into one pill.

Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Duetact's manufacturer, plans to make the prescription drug available later this year

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. announces Tuesday approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its new diabetes drug.

Actoplus Met is a single tablet that merges Takeda's two existing diabetes drugs, Actos and Metformin. Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America Inc. will sell the tablet in the United States starting in October