Arthritis Drug May Cause Liver Damage
Arava, the popular drug for rheumatoid arthritis has been linked to
liver damage and at least 12 deaths. According to a story from the
March 29, 2002 Intelihealth,
the FDA has received at least 130 reports of severe liver toxicity
linked to Arava use. The full toll according to the article was reported
as including 56 hospitalizations and 12 deaths, said Dr. Sidney Wolfe of
the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen. Two of the deaths were people
in their 20s. He also stated that this prescription drug for
rheumatoid arthritis has been linked to dozens of serious liver injuries
and 12 deaths and should be banned.
To date, the FDA has six times more reports of liver damage among Arava
users than users of methotrexate (another popular arthitis drug), even
though thousands more people use methotrexate. Last summer the
American College of Rheumatology warned doctors to take special care
in prescribing Arava, by repeatedly testing patients' livers for signs of
harm.
"It is impossible to predict which patients will be at risk",
said Dr. David Yocum of Arizona Health Sciences Center. "I do
not believe that the general rheumatologist understands or has any
knowledge about these serious and potentially life-threatening
complications."
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