Hotmail
FDA: Infections linked to transplant drugs
Agency wants new labeling warning kidney patients about risks
 | Health care videos |
 Obtaining health care at what cost? Nov. 12: Linda Douglass, communications director for the White House Office on Health Reform, discusses whether Congress is sacrificing key aspects of reform just to get a bill passed. |
 | INTERACTIVE |
 | Dose of reality Do health care reform headlines leave you saying “huh?” Visit msnbc.com's guide to health reform and send us claims you'd like fact-checked. |
updated 1:34 p.m. ET July 14, 2009
WASHINGTON - Federal health regulators said Tuesday they are adding new labeling about the risks of infection to organ transplant drugs made by Roche, Novartis and other drugmakers.
The Food and Drug Administration said it has received reports of dangerous viral infections in patients taking the drugs, which are typically used to avoid rejection following kidney transplant.
Drugs bearing the new labeling are: Roche's CellCept, Wyeth's Rapamune, Novartis' Myfortic, Sandimmune and Neoral.
The FDA said physicians should carefully monitor patients for signs of viral infection, which can sometimes lead to kidney failure.
The agency said it will continue to monitor reports of safety problems with the medications.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
- Discuss Story On Newsvine
-
Rate Story:
View popularLowHigh - Instant Message
MORE FROM HEALTH CARE |
 Health care Section Front |
| Add Health care headlines to your news reader: |
Resource guide