The Drug Report

Various sources report that there's been lots of problems in the world of pharmaceuticals this month. Let's look at a few of the many reports.

The Associated Press reports on November 28, 2000 that the popular drug Lotronex, used for women with irritable bowel syndrome, has been pulled from the market after it was linked with severe side effects ranging from ischemic colitis (an irritable, life-threatening intestinal inflammation) and constipation so severe that many patients had to have portions of their intestines surgically removed. The FDA is aware of 8 deaths and 124 hospitalizations of patients who had been taking Lotronex.

Reuters Health reported on December 14, 2000 that an outbreak of polio, the first in the Western Hemisphere since 1991, appears to be a result of the polio virus used in the oral polio vaccine itself. The virus apparently mutated into a virulent form after it was given to people who had been vaccinated.

The following reports are from the Alternative Medicine Newsletter.

The December 7, 2000 issue reports that the acne drug Accutane will receive a special warning label outlining the side effects, including a possible link to suicide in people taking the drug. Soon, patients will be required to sign a waiver stating that they understand the risks.

The move is part of an attempt to counter another problem with Accutane: It causes severe birth defects in children whose mothers are taking the drug. This is not the best of news since Accutane users include teenagers, most of whom think they are invincible, will never die or get pregnant.

The December 12, 2000 issue reports that a study done at the Institute for the Health of the Elderly at Newcastle General Study in England finds that Alzheimer patients are being prescribed drugs that could be making their symptoms worse.

The study estimates that 30,000 people every year are being given the drugs inappropriately. The authors report that the drugs, major tranquilizers, are too often "used as a substitute for good, practical care management."

By way of commentary, we have a pharmacist friend who contends "drugs are for selling, not for taking."