Covers Chantix And Ortho Evra, As Well As Botox And Myobloc

(Posted by Tom Lamb at DrugInjuryWatch.com)

The FDA’s Patient Safety News (PSN) is a series of monthly video news shows intended primarily for doctors and other health care professionals.  Generally, this series covers significant approvals, recalls, and safety alerts for prescription drugs and medical devices.  Some of the FDA PSN videos contain footage and demonstrations relevant to protecting patients from serious side effects and other unwanted consequences.

Subjects covered in the April 2008 edition of the FDA Patient Safety News include the following:

• New Safety Warnings about Chantix:  Possible neuropsychiatric problems and changes in behavior linked to Chantix (varenicline), a smoking-cessation drug.
• Early Communication on Adverse Events from Botox and Myobloc:  Botulinum toxin may have spread beyond injection site and cause symptoms associated with botulism, including dysphagia and respiratory insufficiency.
• New Data on Thromboembolic Events with Ortho Evra Contraceptive Patch:  Results of new study found women aged 15-44 who used the patch were at higher risk of developing venous thromboembolism than women using birth control pills.

One can find more information about this April 2008 PSN edition and the series in general on the Patient Safety News section of the FDA’s web site.