admin October 12th, 2007
The NPCi blog documents the recent withdrawal of lumiracoxib▼ (Prexige®) in Canada and argue that:
The concern about lumiracoxib’s▼ potential for rare but serious, even fatal liver reactions must feature in prescribing decisions about the drug, along with the increased risk of thrombotic events seen with all coxibs (note that all coxibs are now contraindicated for people with established ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and peripheral artery disease, and individual risk assessment is appropriate for patients with risk factors for cardiovascular events)
admin June 29th, 2007
Health Canada and Hoffmann-La Roche Limited have issued a letter to health care professionals warning of the risk of tracheo-esophageal fistula associated with bevacizumab:
- Serious adverse events, including fatal events, of tracheo-esophageal (TE) fistula have been reported in association with use of AVASTIN clinical trials of small cell lung cancer (SCLC), non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and esophageal cancer.
- AVASTIN should be permanently discontinued in patients with tracheo-esophageal (TE) fistula or any gastrointestinal fistula. There is limited information on the continued use of AVASTIN in patients with other fistulas.
- In cases of internal fistula not arising in the GI tract, discontinuation of AVASTIN should be considered.
admin December 22nd, 2004
Health Canada and Novartis have advised of reports of osteonecrosis of the jaw in cancer patients being treated with disodium pamidronate (Aredia) and zoledronic acid (Zometa).
Health Canada advisory
Dear Healthcare professional letter
admin December 19th, 2004
Health Canada advise of increased cardiovascular risks when celecoxib is taken at doses of 400mg and 800mg per day. They advise that celecoxib should not be taken for the prevention of recurrence of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis.
Health Canada advisory
admin December 3rd, 2004
Health Canada have issued an advisory notice about rosuvastatin, following 6 cases of rhabdomyolysis being reported.
Health Canada wishes to advise Canadians of safety concerns about Crestor®, a cholesterol lowering drug, when used at the highest recommended dosage of 40 mg daily. The risk of rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) may be increased at higher doses. Health Canada recommends that all patients taking Crestor®, or any cholesterol lowering drug, should be using the lowest dose that will meet their treatment goal.
admin October 28th, 2004
Sire BioChem Inc in association with Health Canada have issued a Dear Healthcare Professional letter warning of a greater risk of cardiac valvulopathy in patients being treated with pergolide for Parkinson’s disease.
Dear Healthcare Professional letter
Notice for Patients
admin October 20th, 2004
Janssen-Ortho and Health Canada warn of a possible association between Eprex and blood clots in patients with cancer treated to raise their level of red blood cells to higher than usual. Some of the clots proved fatal.
Dear Health Care Professional letter