The rheumatoid arthritis drug Remicade from Johnson & Johnson has new warning labels following reports of patients on the drug suffering from blood disorders that in some cases were fatal, the U.S. Food and Drug announced last week.
Johnson & Johnson sent a letter to doctors earlier this month that said, “The causal relationship to Remicade therapy remains unclear. Although no high-risk group(s) has been identified, caution should be exercised in patients being treated with Remicade who have ongoing or a history of significant blood abnormalities.”
J&J added: “All patients should be advised to seek immediate medical attention if they develop signs and symptoms suggestive of blood” abnormalities or infection while on Remicade. Discontinuation of Remicade therapy should be considered in patients who develop significant blood abnormalities.”
Remicade has been taken by 509,000 patients worldwide, J&J wrote in the letter.
(via U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
2 responses so far ↓
Lorie Corsetti // Mar 18, 2005 at 7:41 am
My mother starting taking remicade in Janurary of 2000. In May of 2003 she was unable to walk, talk she had dymenentization of her nerves. She was misdiagnosed for three months when they eventually found out she had lymphoma. My mother passed away in december 2004. We are trying to get this drug off the market. My mother was never warned about all the possible side effect and even when they knew it was the remicade the doctors still swore it was not the remicade. Please if anyone has ay information about remicade please email it to me.
Thank you
Peggy Lease // May 26, 2005 at 10:56 am
My doctor is trying to get me on remicade for sarcoidosis. It is hard to get insurance to pay for it. I have been reading what has happened to others and am beginning to be afraid of it. I am terminal right now and we just hope this drug will slow the progress down for me. If anyone has info on remicade usage for sarcoidosis please let me know.
You must log in to post a comment.