Posts Tagged ‘ Raptiva PML Brain Infection ’

Final Call for Raptiva Recall

June 22nd, 2009. By janem

The complete recall of Genentech’s psoriasis drug Raptiva throughout the US and some countries of the European Union will be finalized this week, after sales were suspended in April of this year due to the risk of serious Raptiva side effects, including a fatal brain infection known as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).

Although the overall risk of PML for patients on Raptiva is low, it appears to be increased in long-term users of the drug and in those with compromised immune systems. But the FDA announced that Raptiva would no longer be available in the United States by June 8, 2009. So that means a patient could get a prescription in June and potentially take Raptiva for at least 4 months or so after sales were initially suspended.

 I don’t get it: if the amount of time a patient is on Raptiva is a crucial factor in developing PML, why was this drug phased out slowly instead of being wiped off the market in one fell swoop?

Tags: Raptiva, Raptiva PML Brain Infection
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Clock Ticking for Psoriasis Drug Raptiva: On it? Get off!

May 29th, 2009. By admin

On Raptiva? Then the clock’s ticking. Your pharmacy will only give you a refill on your prescription till until Monday, June 8^th. While we’re happy that Genentech decided to voluntarily withdraw Raptiva from the market given the drug’s link to the deadly progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) infection, there’s one thing Genentech couldn’t take away: patients’ stress.

Think about it-you’re on Raptiva for psoriasis and you’ve been told that stopping Raptiva at once could either worsen your psoriasis or, worse yet, necessitate hospitalization. That’ll give you pause if you’re considering going cold turkey. But then again, you did receive that letter in the mail from Genentech advising you that you’ll need to stop taking it. Feeling caught between a rock and a hard place? You should be.

But before you stress yourself out even more, see your doctor first. You and your doctor need to come up with a plan to switch to another psoriasis treatment before coming off Raptiva. Beyond that (as if that isn’t enough), if you any questions about what recourse you may have as a result of being on Raptiva and being told you need to come off it pronto, you may want to ask a lawyer about your situation.

Tags: Psoriasis drug, Raptiva, Raptiva PML Brain Infection
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