Manufacturers of Posicor voluntarily withdrew the drug from the market in 1998 after it was linked to harmful interactions with other drugs. Posicor was used to treat patients with hypertension (high blood pressure) and chronic stable angina. When Posicor was first introduced to the market in 1997, only three drugs were listed as causing harmful interactions with Posicor. The list has now climbed to more than 25.
What are some important things I should know about Posicor?
Posicor caused at least 140 deaths because of harmful drug interactions. The majority of these deaths were caused by an arrhythmia that was produced after combining Posicor with other medications. Other deaths and injuries were caused when Posicor was combined with other medications and caused an increase in frequency and severity of side effects.
Posicor was prescribed to patients with hypertension and/or chronic stable angina.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is caused by a number of factors, including family history, obesity, smoking, little or no exercise, stress, alcohol, and ethnic background. Nearly one in three people in the U.S. have hypertension, and many do not know it. It is important to have blood pressure checked regularly. Hypertension is the leading cause of strokes and heart attacks in the U.S.
Chronic stable angina occurs when coronary arteries become increasingly narrower and it is difficult for the heart tissue to receive adequate blood supply. This can lead to heart attack and heart failure.
Posicor reacted dangerously and fatally with more than 25 drugs, and manufacturers, along with the FDA, decided that the health risk Posicor posed outweighed any benefits of the drug. Posicor, when combined with other medications, could cause fatal heart arrhythmias and a dangerous increase in severity and frequency of side effects.
If you are still taking Posicor, you should contact your doctor immediately. Do not stop taking Posicor suddenly, because it can lead to dangerous withdrawal symptoms. If you or a loved one was injured by Posicor, you should contact a personal injury attorney immediately to discuss your options.