Birth Control Pills Containing Drospirenone: Possible Increased Risk of Blood Clots

Birth Control Pills Containing Drospirenone: Possible Increased Risk of Blood Clots

UPDATED 10-27-2011] FDA notified healthcare professionals of release of the final report of the FDA-funded study that evaluated the risk of blood clots in users of several different hormonal contraceptives. The link is provided below. FDA’s review of the results of this study, specifically those results related to drospirenone-containing birth control pills, will be presented and discussed at the joint meeting of the Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee and the Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee on December 8, 2011.
 

[UPDATED 09/26/2011] FDA has not yet reached a conclusion, but remains concerned, about the potential increased risk of blood clots with the use of drospirenone-containing birth control pills. FDA has completed its review of the two 2011 studies that evaluated the risk of blood clots for women who use drospirenone-containing birth control pills. FDA is continuing its review of a separate FDA-funded study that evaluated the risk of blood clots in users of several different hormonal birth control products (contraceptives). Preliminary results of the FDA-funded study suggest an approximately 1.5-fold increase in the risk of blood clots for women who use drospirenone-containing birth control pills compared to users of other hormonal contraceptives. Given the conflicting nature of the findings from six published studies evaluating this risk, as well as the preliminary data from the FDA-funded study FDA has scheduled a joint meeting of the Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee and the Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee on December 8, 2011 to discuss the risks and benefits and specifically the risk of blood clots of drospirenone-containing birth control pills.

Xigris [drotrecogin alfa (activated)]: Market Withdrawal - Failure to Show Survival Benefit

ISSUE: FDA notified healthcare professionals and the public that on October 25, 2011, Eli Lilly and Company announced a worldwide voluntary market withdrawal of Xigris [drotrecogin alfa (activated)]. In a recently completed clinical trial (PROWESS-SHOCK trial), Xigris failed to show a survival benefit for patients with severe sepsis and septic shock.

BACKGROUND: Xigris is indicated for the reduction of mortality in adult patients with severe sepsis who have a high risk of death.

RECOMMENDATION: Xigris treatment should not be started in new patients. Xigris treatment should be stopped in patients being treated with Xigris. All remaining Xigris product should be returned to the supplier from whom it was purchased.

Nostrilla Nasal Decongestant: Recall - Bacterial Contamination

ISSUE: Insight Pharmaceuticals, LLC recalled one lot (lot #11G075, UPC Code 6373673005, 34,092 bottles) of Nostrilla Nasal Decongestant nasal spray to the consumer level, because it may contain the bacteria Burkholderia cepacia. Burkholderia cepacia may cause serious infection in individuals with a compromised immune system or chronic lung condition (i.e. cystic fibrosis).

BACKGROUND: Nostrilla Nasal Decongestant was distributed nationwide through normal retail outlets and pharmacies. The product comes in a 1/2 ounce, plastic bottle marked with an expiration date of 05/2014 stamped on the side.

RECOMMENDATION: Consumers who purchased "Nostrilla Decongestant, lot #11G075" are urged to return the product and contact the company at 1-877-546-9059 Monday through Friday from 9 am-5 pm EST time zone. Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this product.

Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

·      Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm

·      Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

Sprycel (dasatinib): Drug Safety Communication - Risk of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

SSUE: FDA notified healthcare professionals that Sprycel (dasatinib) may increase the risk of a rare but serious condition in which there is abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs (pulmonary arterial hypertension [PAH]). Symptoms of PAH may include shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling of the body (such as the ankles and legs). In reported cases, patients developed PAH after starting Sprycel, including after more than one year of treatment.

Information about this risk has been added to the Warnings and Precautions section of the Sprycel drug label.

BACKGROUND: Sprycel (dasatinib) is used to treat certain adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) or acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

RECOMMENDATION: Healthcare professionals should evaluate patients for signs and symptoms of underlying cardiopulmonary disease prior to starting Sprycel and also during treatment. If PAH is confirmed, Sprycel should be permanently discontinued.

Read the Drug Safety Communication for additional information including a data summary.

Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

·      Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm

·      Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

Uprizing 2.0: Recall - Undeclared Drug Ingredient: Synthetic Steroid

ISSUE: FDA notified the manufacturer that lab analyses found that the product, sold as a testosterone booster, contains superdrol, a synthetic steroid, making it an unapproved new drug. Acute liver injury is known to be a possible harmful effect of using products containing synthetic anabolic steroids. In addition, use of synthetic anabolic steroids may cause other serious long-term adverse health consequences in men, women, and children. These include shrinkage of the testes and male infertility, masculinization of women, breast enlargement in males, short stature in children, a higher predilection to misuse other drugs and alcohol, adverse effects on blood lipid levels, and increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and death.

BACKGROUND: On August 5, FDA made Superior Metabolic Technologies Inc aware that Uprizing 2.0 contains superdrol, which is banned by the FDA. Uprizing 2.0 was distributed through retail health food stores in Alabama, Arizona, California, Georgia, Mississippi, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Texas.

RECOMMENDATION: Consumers who purchased Uprizing 2.0 are urged to return it to the place of purchase.

Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program: