FDA boosts blood loss drug warning
From Times Wire Reports
The Food and Drug Administration strengthened warnings on a drug commonly used to lessen blood loss during heart bypass surgery, saying that doctors should reserve Trasylol for higher-risk patients.
The FDA began reevaluating the safety of Trasylol, also called aprotinin, in January after studies raised the possibility of kidney failure, heart attacks and strokes linked to its use.
The drug’s label now will specify that Trasylol be given only to patients at increased risk of blood loss during surgery and warn that Trasylol increases the risk of kidney damage. The FDA said additional warnings might be added later.