You might believe that you and your doctor are the only ones making important decisions about your health. Here are 4 Medications Doctors Will Never Again Prescribe.
However, once your doctor has filled out a prescription pad for you, the circle of trust extends to include regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical companies.
The pharmaceutical industry can make mistakes, as we know from high-profile recalls where medications were taken off the market.
1. Vioxx to treat arthritis
Vioxx, a COX-2 inhibitor, is used once in a while. In 2004, Merck & Co. took the drug off the market after it was discovered that it had been associated with 88,000 heart attacks in the period 1999-2003, of which 38,000 were fatal.
It was estimated that more than 20 million people had used the drug by the time it was taken off the market.
According to NPR, Merck settled a 4.85 billion-dollar lawsuit settlement in 2007. This was the largest drug settlement ever made. “There was certainly a need for COX-2 inhibitors.
However, they were being improperly marketed by pharmaceutical companies to physicians to prescribe higher doses,” says William Soliman Ph.D., BCMAS.
Soliman is the founder and CEO of the Accreditation Council For Medical Affairs (ACMA), and a former Merck executive. Soliman told Best Life that this was responsible for some of the cardiovascular risks.
2. Bextra to relieve pain
Valdecoxib (also known as Bextra) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It was originally prescribed for pain relief.
In 2005, however, researchers discovered that the drug could cause serious and sometimes fatal cardiovascular complications, such as stroke and heart attack.
After determining that Bextra was not a pain reliever that had any particular advantages over other similar medications that didn’t cause serious side effects, the FDA decided to stop its use.
3. Belviq for weight loss
Lorcaserin was previously prescribed for weight loss after being approved in 2012. But, the FDA ordered doctors in 2020 to stop prescribing Lorcaserin to patients after a study showed a link between the drug and cancer.
The FDA stated in its recall announcement that it was taking this action due to the fact that “we believe the risks of lorcaserin exceed its benefits” based on a complete review of the results of a random clinical trial assessing safety. “Healthcare professionals should stop prescribing or dispensing lorcaserin patients.”
Call patients who are taking lorcaserin and inform them about the increase in cancer rates seen during the clinical trial.
Talk to your patients about alternative methods or strategies for weight loss,” the regulator advised.
4 Raptiva for psoriasis
Efalizumab was an injectable medication that treated adults with moderate to severe plaques. But, in 2009, the producer of the product announced a voluntary withdrawal from the U.S. market.
Scientists discovered that the drug was linked to progressive multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML), which is a rare, but severe neurological condition caused by a virus that affects the central nervous system.
The FDA stated in its drug withdrawal notice that PML is not a known treatment and although it is unlikely that anyone taking Raptiva will contract the disease, it could prove fatal.
The Best Life provides the most current information from top experts and new research. However, our content should not be considered a replacement for professional guidance.
Always consult your healthcare provider for any questions or medication information.
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