Healthy Skepticism Library item: 11149

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: news

Two dead from recalled pain treatment
News Limited 2007 Aug 11
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22226261-5005962,00.html

Full text:

TWO people are dead and two others have undergone liver transplants from a drug, used by 60,000 people in Australia, which was urgently recalled today by the Federal Government.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) said patients prescribed the drug Prexige, used to treat osteoarthritis, should stop taking the medication immediately and seek medical advice to get an alternative prescription.

Prexige was first approved by the TGA in 2004, but has only gained widespread use since being listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme last year.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals produces the drug, which is listed under the technical name Lumiracoxib.

Approximately 60,000 people take Lumiracoxib in Australia, which is prescribed for relief of osteoarthritis, post-operative pain, pain related to dental procedures and painful menstruation.

The TGA has received reports of eight people taking the drug who suffered serious liver reactions, including two deaths and two liver transplants.

“The TGA has taken this advice to cancel the registration of Lumiracoxib in order to prevent further cases of severe liver damage,” TGA medical adviser Rohan Hammett said.

“It seems that the longer people are on the medicine, the greater chance of liver injury.”

People with inquiries about the withdrawal of Prexige can ring the TGA info line on 1800 004 599 or Novartis Pharmaceuticals on 1800 671 203.