Unsafe Drugs: Anemia Drugs Unsafe?

The Food and Drug Administration cautions that erythropoietins, which are anemia-fighting drugs, are being used so aggressively that they may actually be harming some patients. Studies have indicated that when doctors use the drugs to "cure" the anemia that frequently is seen in cancer and kidney-failure patients, many of these patients suffer from complications and die sooner. Some doctors are believed to be using erythropoietins at doses higher than those approved by the FDA; doctors are permitted to do this. Karen Weiss, a physician and an FDA official, said that many feel that "more is better."

Anemia Drug May Harm Some Patients, FDA Says

Erythropoietins are sold under the names Epogen, Procrit, and Aranesp and will now carry a black-box warning, which says that the lowest dose possible should be used. Studies have shown that when erythropoietins are prescribed at high levels, tumors grow faster in those who are undergoing radiation treatment for throat cancer. Women who had metastatic breast cancer and were undergoing chemotherapy in conjunction with erythropoietin use died more quickly.