Monday, July 19, 2010 by: David Gutierrez, staff writer
(NaturalNews) The HIV drug Videx (sold generically as didanosine) may cause fatal liver problems, the FDA has warned.
Since the drug's initial approval, the agency has received 42 adverse event reports linking Videx and its delayed release version Videx EC to a rare liver disorder known as non-cirrotic portal hypertension. In four of these cases, patients died from liver failure or severe bleeding. Only three patients were able to fully recover from the condition, and all of those needed a liver transplant. Patients had been undergoing treatment with the drug for anywhere from months to years.
Although it has not yet been proven that the drugs caused the liver disorder, the FDA noted that there is definitely an association between the two.
In non-cirrotic portal hypertension, blood flow through a major vein in the liver becomes constricted, causing blood to back up into the esophagus. Veins in the throat can become so enlarged that they rupture, leading to serious and potentially fatal bleeding.
Although the FDA stated that the benefits for HIV patients still outweigh the risks, it warned that Videx patients should be closely monitored for any signs of portal hypertension. Furthermore, it noted that "the decision to use this drug ... must be made on an individual basis between the treating physician and the patient."
Videx was first approved in 1991, and the delayed release version was approved in 2000. The drug is a type of antiretroviral drug known as a nucleoside analogue, and slows the proliferation of HIV to prolong the onset of AIDS and extend the life of patients.
It has previously been linked to other forms of liver damage, especially in combination with other antiretroviral drugs including hydroxyurea and ribavirin.
According to a spokesperson for manufacturer Bristol-Myers Squib, worldwide sales of the drug amounted to $71 million in 2009.
Sources for this story include: www.aboutlawsuits.com/hiv-drug-vide... online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100129-714703.html?mod=WSJ_latestheadlines; www.medscape.com/viewarticle/716198.
Watch House of Numbers to learn more about HIV, AIDS and AIDS Drugs.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hello everyone in this forum i am LEOKADIA STELLA from USA. i was waiting for this days to come so that i will share a testimony of how i was cure of my hiv/aids by DR ODUWA the great healer. i will never forget this two days in my life the day i tested hiv positive and the day i tested negative. the day i tested positive was the saddest day for me but the day i tested negative was the happiest day for me, but who was the source of my happiness is God and DR ODUWA the great healer, that is the reason i am taking all my time to share this testimony so that people who might also need help of curing their sickness to contact him through his email: dr.oduwaspellhome@gmail.com as i earlier did when i was searching for help. This man brought countless joy into my life and my family as well. Well i have really believe that God sent you to heal his people from this deadly disease. i will forever give thanks to you for healing me from hiv. Please kindly contact this great healer if you need his help because he can save your soul he just saved mine. Contact email address: dr.oduwaspellhome@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI was diagnosed as HEPATITIS B carrier in 2013 with fibrosis of the liver already present. I started on antiviral medications which reduced the viral load initially. After a couple of years the virus became resistant. I started on HEPATITIS B Herbal treatment from ULTIMATE LIFE CLINIC (www.ultimatelifeclinic.com) in March, 2020. Their treatment totally reversed the virus. I did another blood test after the 6 months long treatment and tested negative to the virus. Amazing treatment! This treatment is a breakthrough for all HBV carriers.
ReplyDelete