Flu season may worsen Actos side effects

New York, NYDiabetics who are on Actos may be at a higher risk for having a heart attack during flu season.

That's the suggestion found in new research that focused on people living with heart disease and diabetes, states U.S. News and World Report.

The finding was uncovered by a London research team that examined 39 studies conducted between 1932 and 2008. The team uncovered that there was an increase in deaths from heart attacks during flu season with excess deaths averaging 35 to 50 percent.

Dr Marc Siegel, an associate professor of medicine at New York University, said influenza was "most concerning" because of the health complications it can bring.

"Most of the time with influenza, death or hospitalization isn't because of the influenza, it's because influenza puts you in a weakened state," Siegel said.

This study may be particularly troublesome for those taking the drug Actos for type 2 diabetes, since a link has been made between the FDA-approved medication and heart failure.

In 2007, the FDA increased the warnings on the drug concerning congestive heart failure. It has also been suggested that people who have liver disease should not take Actos because of the known side effects.