Posicor
(Mibefradil Dihydrochloride)
What is Posicor?
Posicor, was produced by Roche Pharmaceutical and typically
prescribed to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and
chronic angina. It worked by blocking the movement of calcium
into the heart cells and blood vessels. The blood vessels would relax and increase
the supply of oxygen and blood to the heart, thereby reducing
the stress on the heart.
Posicor was very effective in treating hypertension,
but had disastrous side effects. After causing more than 123 deaths, it was
withdrawn June, 8 1998, for its harmful interactions with
other drugs. Posicor was prescribed to over 200,000 patients
during the 12 months it was on the market.
Why was Posicor recalled?
Posicor was contraindicated with over 25 different drugs. When combined with these other medications,
one of two events occurred:
1.
The heart rhythm slowed to dangerously low
rates
2.
Contraindicated medications stayed in the
body too long and produced dangerously high levels in the
blood, causing harmful and sometimes fatal side-effects,
including arrhythmia and death
These side effects occurred primarily, because:
Posicor reduces
the activity of certain liver enzymes that are important
in helping the body eliminate many other drugs.
FDA Talk Paper June, 8th, 1998.
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