Posts tagged Drug Products

• Anemia Drugs Given Stronger Warnings

  Jamie Sheller | March 26, 2008 9:59 AM | 0 CommentsPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  The makers of Aranesp, Epogen and Procrit have recently been advised by the FDA to expand its black box warnings. The new warnings indicate the risks of death and tumor growth when used by cancer patients with early stage breast cancer or cancer in the head and neck. Aransep, Epogen and Procrit are popular drugs used to treat the blood disorder anemia in patients with kidney failure and those...

• Heparin contaminated with Counterfeit Ingredient

  Jamie Sheller | March 12, 2008 12:53 PM | 0 CommentsPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  In January 2008, Baxter Healthcare voluntarily recalled various lots of its blood thinner, Heparin. The recall was due to an increase in reports of adverse patient reactions. These reactions included abdominal pain, decreased blood pressure, chest pain, loss of consciousness, and hypotension. This voluntary recall was followed by a more extensive recall mandated by the FDA in February of...

• GlaxoSmithKline Escapes Criminal Prosecution

  Jamie Sheller | March 10, 2008 11:32 AM | 0 CommentsPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  Drugmaker, GlaxoSmithKline, escapes criminal prosecution in Britian, for withholding information about adverse effects of its drug, Seroxat. Seroxat, is marketed in the United States, as Paxil. According to Britian authorities, GlaxoSmithKline had information that Seroxat could increase sucidial thoughts in teens under the age of 18. However, GlaxoSmithKline did not release that information...

• Tysabri May Damage Liver

  Jamie Sheller | February 29, 2008 2:18 PM | 0 CommentsPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  Once again the FDA has updated the label on the drug Tysabri. Tysabri, manufactured by Biogen Idec, Inc. and Elan Corp. Plc., is used by pateints with multiple sclerosis. Signs of liver damage occurred in some patients taking the drug. Liver problems may lead to death or the need for a transplant.

• Trasylol linked to 22,000 Deaths

  Jamie Sheller | February 21, 2008 12:52 PM | 0 CommentsPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  Trasylol, or aprotinin, is a blood clotting drug that is used during open heart surgery. Bayer Pharmaceuticals manufactured this drug beginning in 1993. As early as January 2006, studies were released that reported an increase risk of severe adverse reactions, including kidney failure, heart attack, and stroke in patients treated with this product. One medical researcher opined that 22,000...

• Coaches for Breast Cancer Patients

  Jamie Sheller | February 20, 2008 2:50 PM | 0 CommentsPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  Recently, the American Cancer Society and National Breast Cancer Coalition began training individuals to coach women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. These coaches assist with navigating the difficult process of making life changing decisions once a patient has learned of the cancer. Unlike support from family, friends, and other breast cancer survivors, the coaches do not promote...

• FDA Takes Action Against Colchicine Marketers

  Jamie Sheller | February 13, 2008 3:49 PM | 0 CommentsPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  Recently, the FDA announced it will take action against all companies marketing unapproved, injectable colchicine. Colchicine is a drug used to treat gout. This drug is extremely dangerous since fatal doses are very similar to the effective doses. Adverse effects of this drug include death, low blood cell counts, cardiac events, and organ failure. If you or a loved one has been injured as a...

• Fosamax -- Still a Public Concern

  Jamie Sheller | February 07, 2008 2:00 PM | 0 CommentsPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  Fosamx, a drug used for treatment of osteoporosis, has been linked to a devastating condition called Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) or Dead Jaw Syndrome. ONJ keeps the jawbones of patients from healing properly after routine dental procedures, and in extreme cases caused jawbones to rot and die. Several independent studies discovered that a number of patients taking Fosamax developed this...

• Is Ortho Evra Contraception Safe?

  Jamie Sheller | January 29, 2008 2:36 PM | 0 CommentsPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  Just recently, the FDA changed the warnings on the Ortho Evra birth control patch yet again. This time the agency updated the warnings to include the results of a new study. This new study showed that users of the Ortho Evra patch are twice as likely to develop blood clots known as thromboembolism (VTE). Women between the ages of 15-44 are among those facing the greater risk. The FDA...

• Chantix Related to Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors

  Jamie Sheller | January 03, 2008 4:37 PM | 0 CommentsPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  The FDA has notified health professionals that Chantix, a smoking cessation product, has been associated with erratic behavior in patients. Some patients reported suicidal thoughts and aggressive behavior within days or weeks of taking Chantix. The FDA is reviewing the cases. For more information about Chantix, view this page. For more information on this subject, please see our section on...