Kaiser Permanente Northwest is apologizing to nearly 6,500 …
Doug Yakich had a life-changing colostomy about two years ago. …
The health care workers were exposed to patients with the novel…
Advertisement
US panel sees risk in long-used osteoporosis drug
Little evidence drug works, say health experts
Updated: Tuesday, 05 Mar 2013, 3:18 PM CST
Published : Tuesday, 05 Mar 2013, 3:18 PM CST
WASHINGTON (AP) - A panel of U.S. government health experts says a long-established bone strengthening drug should no longer be used by women because there is little evidence it works and it may actually increase the risk of cancer.
The Food and Drug Administration panel voted 12-9 that the risks of the inhalable osteoporosis drug outweigh its benefits for postmenopausal women with brittle bones.
The drug, known chemically as calcitonin salmon, has been prescribed for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women since the 1980s. Currently the drug is sold in nasal spray form by Novartis and Upsher-Smith.
But the health authorities around the world have been reviewing the drug's safety after two recent studies showed a slightly higher rate of cancer among patients taking calcitonin pills.
Opinions that are derogatory, attack other users or are offensive in nature may be removed. KXAN is not responsible for the content posted in this comment section. We reserve the right to remove any offensive or off-topic remark or thread. To mark a comment for review by a moderator, click "Report Abuse."
Email This
Print This
View Story on a Single PageAdvertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement