Psoriasis Drug Linked To Deaths

SAN FRANCISCO, Ca.- The FDA is issuing a health alert to patients using the Psoriasis drug Raptiva (efalizumab).

The agency says they have three confirmed deaths, and are watching a possible fourth, from a brain infection in patients taking the drug long-term. Raptivabegan being labeledwith a black box warning from the FDA in October, the most severe warning the agencycan give.Last year $108 million dollars worth of the skin-relief drug were sold in the United States.

The FDA is “strongly recommending”health care professionals carefully monitor patients on Raptiva, as well as those who havestopped usingthe drug, for any signs or symptoms of neurologic disease.The once-weekly injectionworks by suppressingpart of the immune system, creating an increased chance of infection.

Health care professionals and consumersshould report serious side effects to the FDA program online, by regular mail, fax or phone. You can find free, postage-paid forms to mailto them by looking on their website. All thisinformation can be found below:

Online: http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm

Regular Mail: MedWatch,5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787 (free form to mail is on this website: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm)

Fax: 1-800-FDA-0178

Phone:1-800-FDA-1088