Defecetive Drugs: adrugrecall.com
NEWS
Sign up for our newsletter
to receive breaking news about drugs to watch
Contact A Lawyer
Near You
Contact us today for a complimentary consultation with a qualified attorney near you.
Subscribe To Our Syndicated NewsGleevec Cancer Drug Poses Heart Risks
Gleevec Cancer Drug Poses Heart Risks
-July 24, 2006
A recent study has revealed that leukemia drug Gleevec is toxic to the heart and may increase the risk of heart failure. This study, published in the scientific journal Nature Medicine , presents a major roadblock for a remarkably effective leukemia treatment.
Gleevec Heart Failure
According to researchers, patients taking Gleevec should be carefully monitored for signs of heart failure , which can include:
Shortness of breath
Fluid build-up in the body tissues
Persistent wheezing or coughing
Extreme or unexplained fatigue
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Increased heart beat
Impaired thinking or confusion
The results of this Gleevec study also pose additional implications: similar drugs currently in the development stages need to be tested specifically for heart toxicity. Additional tests need to be run on Gleevec to determine its risk of causing heart failure.
Gleevec Cancer Treatment
The FDA approved Gleevec, made by Novartis AG, in May 2001 to treat chronic myeloid leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. This drug and related therapies are designed to attack only cancerous cells without causing damage to other tissues in the body. This is different from traditional chemotherapy, which is non-selective in its destructive effects on body tissues.
The idea was that Gleevec and similar treatments would limit collateral damage to other areas of the body. However, researchers are now discovering that Gleevec poses adverse effects on the heart.
The Gleevec study
According to Novartis, the risk of Gleevec heart failure is extremely rare. The company declined to provide any numbers on the risks.
The study, conducted by a number of leading medical experts throughout the country, examined ten patients who developed severe congestive heart failure while using Gleevec. The team of scientists also examined Gleevec's heart effects by studying the drug's effects in animals. Researchers did not establish a percentage that indicates a Gleevec patient's risk of developing heart side effects.
If you or a loved one has been injured by Gleevec, please contact us to learn more about your legal rights and options. You may be able to recover assistance for your losses.
More Recent Defective Drug News
