FDA Announces Investigation after Clinical Study Concludes Three Anemia Drugs May Lead to Heart Attack and Stroke

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced plans to investigate the health risks associated with use of three anemia drugs marketed by Amgen and Johnson & Johnson. The announcement comes after another clinical trial concluded that certain doses of anemia drugs Epogen, Aranesp and Procrit may lead to heart attack and stroke.

The three widely used anemia drugs have been prescribed to patients following chemotherapy and those who suffer from anemia as a result of chronic kidney disease. FDA officials say an advisory committee will be formed to re-evaluate the safety of all three drugs and possibly find solutions on how to control doses.

The safety risks of all three drugs were first revealed in 2007 after several clinical trials led to major safety concerns. The trials concluded that Epogen, Aranesp and Procrit were linked to heart attack and stroke, and may worsen the condition of cancer patients.

In the meantime, Amgen says the clinical trials are based on incomplete understanding of the use of anemia drugs.

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