Summary Box: FDA leaves diabetes pill on market with restrictions, Europeans ban sales

Summary Box: US, Europe restrict Avandia use

SPLIT DECISION: U.S. health officials restricted access to the controversial diabetes pill Avandia Thursday, even as European regulators ordered it off the market based on heart attack risks.

FORMER BLOCKBUSTER: Avandia was the top-selling diabetes pill in the world in 2006, but prescriptions have plummeted since a 2007 analysis linked the drug to heart attack risks.

LIMITED ACCESS: While U.S. regulators stopped short of removing Avandia from the market, medical experts said the restrictions will virtually eliminate use of the drug. Doctors must sign a waiver that they have tried all other types of diabetes drugs before starting new patients on Avandia.