FDA WARNING

FDA WARNING

Plavix problem: The Food and Drug Administration is adding its strongest warning to the label for Plavix, cautioning that some patients do not respond to the blockbuster blood thinner.

Genetic cause: A small percentage of people have a genetic variation that prevents them from making an enzyme needed to break down Plavix.

Blockbuster: Plavix is marketed by Sanofi-Aventis and Bristol-Myers Squibb. With global sales of $8.6 billion in 2008, it was the world’s second-best-selling drug. Experts say the new FDA warning could push more doctors to prescribe Effient, a competing blood thinner.

Source: Associated Press

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