According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, about 2,000 patients in the U.S. are taking this drug. If you're one of them, pay attention!
First, kudos to Genetech for doing the right thing!
After three cases of a potentially fatal brain disorder were linked to long term use of the drug Raptiva, and two patients died, the company updated its U.S. FDA approved label to reflect the danger. But then, the company determined that the risk of this disorder outweighs the potential benefits of the drug - and decided to pull it from the market.
Considering that the FDA did not require the drug to be removed, and that 2008 sales of Raptiva came in at $108 million, the company is to be commended.
They warned that stopping treatment abruptly could worsen the psoriasis, so users should see their doctors to find alternative treatments. Current users will be able to get the drug, which is administered as a once-weekly injection, until June 8.
The brain disorder, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is the same disorder linked to the multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri, which is sold by Biogen Idec Inc. and Elan Corp.
Showing posts with label deadly side effects. Show all posts
Showing posts with label deadly side effects. Show all posts
Monday, April 20, 2009
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Antidepressant medications may trigger suicide!
Just read the news this morning about a young woman who was experiencing anxiety. Her doctor prescribed Klonopin and then gave her free samples of Cymbalta.
5 days later she was dead.
She started feeling bad the first day, but kept taking the pills; within 4 days she began talking about suicide, and the next day she did it.
According to the newspaper, the package inserts with prescriptions for Cymbalta clearly state that suicidal thoughts can be a side effect, but since she was given samples, neither she nor her family had seen a package insert.
Once again, this is a stark reminder to pay attention to your own body. Just because a doctor hands you something does NOT mean that it is good for you. It may be fine for someone else, but not for you.
Any time a medication makes you feel bad, you should quit taking it! This is true even if you begin experiencing headaches or nausea or any of a host of other side-effects - not just if you become suicidal.
Bad feelings are your body's way of telling you this is not a good thing. When you begin experiencing negative reactions after a change in medication it's a clear sign that the medication is harmful to you.
Go back to the doctor and explain your symptoms. Get a different drug if you must, but always remember that our bodies are all individual - one size does not fit all in clothing, foods, or medications.
5 days later she was dead.
She started feeling bad the first day, but kept taking the pills; within 4 days she began talking about suicide, and the next day she did it.
According to the newspaper, the package inserts with prescriptions for Cymbalta clearly state that suicidal thoughts can be a side effect, but since she was given samples, neither she nor her family had seen a package insert.
Once again, this is a stark reminder to pay attention to your own body. Just because a doctor hands you something does NOT mean that it is good for you. It may be fine for someone else, but not for you.
Any time a medication makes you feel bad, you should quit taking it! This is true even if you begin experiencing headaches or nausea or any of a host of other side-effects - not just if you become suicidal.
Bad feelings are your body's way of telling you this is not a good thing. When you begin experiencing negative reactions after a change in medication it's a clear sign that the medication is harmful to you.
Go back to the doctor and explain your symptoms. Get a different drug if you must, but always remember that our bodies are all individual - one size does not fit all in clothing, foods, or medications.
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