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Why was Raxar removed from the market?
After conducting an extensive study of
the drug, Glaxo Wellcome (the drug’s manufacturer) has determined
that certain individuals may experience cardiac repolarization
and may be at risk of serious ventricular arrhythmia known
as torsade de pointes when treated with this drug.
Subsequently,
Glaxo Wellcome has voluntarily removed its oral versions
of Raxar from the market due to the serious incidence of
detrimental cardiac side effects, as well as the drug’s
suspected involvement in as many as 14 reported deaths. Approximately 2.65 million patient treatments have been prescribed since the beginning of the drug’s
use in August of 1997.
Side
Effects and Signals
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difficulty breathing
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Irregular or slow heartbeats
(arrhythmia)
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Fainting or dizzy spells
(torsade de pointes)
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Hives
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Swelling of lips, tongue
or throat
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Seizures
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confusion or hallucinations
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liver damage
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muscle or joint pain
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ringing in ears
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increased skin sensitivity
to sunlight
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Yellow eyes or skin
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Vomiting
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Elevated blood levels of the liver enzymes
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Liver failure
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Unusual tiredness
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Weakness
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