Warning that the diabetes medication Avandia increases patients’ risk of heart problems and strokes, the Food and Drug Administration threw a set of cuffs on the drug. It will still be available, but only as a last resort for those who go through several other methods of battling the disease.

On its website, the FDA said it’s developing a restricted access program for the drug, allowing access only to patients who can’t get their glucose levels under control with other drugs and can’t take Actos, an Avandia alternative. The FDA said the restriction will “limit use of Avandia significantly.”

Our scientific homies over at Consumer Reports have been warning readers to stay away from Avandia for more than three years.

FDA significantly restricts access to the diabetes drug Avandia [FDA]

Previously: Avandia Stays On The Market

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