Health regulators are suggesting that doctors lower the prescribed doses of anemia drugs when treating patients with kidney failure due to the increased risk for stroke, blood clots and death. The suggestion was prompted by a 2009 study in which use of the blockbuster drugs — Procrit, Aranesp and Epogen — could potentially double a patient’s risk of having a stroke. The FDA’s warning is the latest to hit the medications since 2007, when the agency first linked use of the drugs to fatal side effects.

The drugs, which are manufactured by biotech giant, Amgen Inc., are multibillion-dollar sellers due to their ability to boost oxygen-carrying red blood cells, thus reducing the need for patients to endure painful transfusions. Doctors had assumed that prescribing higher doses of the drugs would help prevent heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems. However, following warnings linking the drugs to a heightened risk for stroke, doctors must now adjust each patient’s dosing to maintain healthy hemoglobin levels. The intended goal being to individualize therapy and use the lowest possible dose of the drugs.

It is important to note that the FDA’s announcement applies to patients with early-stage kidney failure, as well as those patients currently on dialysis for the treatment of late-stage kidney failure.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 20 million people in the United States have chronic kidney disease.

RESULTS & SETTLEMENTS

Frank M. Eidson P.A. has been tirelessly representing the rights of Central Florida victims since 1989.

$4.2 Million

Auto Accident

$2.3 Million

Workers Comp Case

$5.65 Million

Auto Accident


Free, No Obligation Case Review.

Fill out our contact form below for your free, no obligation case review.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Help provide wounded servicemen and women with therapeutic outdoor adventures. Like our Facebook page and we'll contribute $1 to Wounded Warriors Outdoors.

Contact Our Orlando Attorney

If you have been injured in an accident, turn to Frank M. Eidson P.A. Whether your case is a simple collision or a complicated auto wrongful death case, contact personal injury lawyer Frank Eidson today to schedule your free consultation.

407-245-2887