Melanie Myers takes a look at the FDA's list of prescription drugs they are currently evaluating.
Story Created:
Sep 5, 2008 at 8:42 PM CST
Story Updated:
Sep 6, 2008 at 10:15 AM CST
It's not a recall, but today the FDA released a list of 20 different drugs it is currently investigating due to safety concerns. The list includes drugs for everything from pain to seizures, and they're all still on the market.
The FDA has flagged a number of drugs for potential safety issues, including Heparin, one type of insulin, and Cymbalta, but doctors say it doesn't mean you should just trash your medications.
Melanie Myers currently fills a variety of prescriptions, though none of her medications are being investigated by the FDA. When she saw the list of ones that are, she was concerned for her father.
Melanie Myers says, "He takes one of these medicines, and I don't think he'd be aware of it because he doesn't pay attention to that type of information, so yeah, that's interesting."
Doctor Jennifer McKay hopes people pay attention to the list, and she has a few suggestions if your prescription is being investigated.
She says you should weigh the benefits against the risks, contact your doctor, and whatever you do she says, do not just discontinue use.
Dr. Jennifer McKay says, "Some of the medications on this list are actually dangerous to discontinue abruptly."
She says the key is you shouldn't panic because the list is just a precaution. That's advice that was easy for Melanie Myers to take until she took a closer look.
Melanie Myers says, "I myself, if I was taking one of these. Actually, one of them I did take after a car accident. That really concerns me because I was on that for quite some time and it concerns me that it is under investigation."
And now, she says she would think twice if she was prescribed Oxycontin.
Melanie Myers says, "If I were ever have to be in that situation again, I wouldn't probably take that prescription. I really wouldn't touch it."
Despite the benefits some doctors and patients say the FDA should list more information about the risks linked to each drug.
The full report by the FDA can be found online at http://www.fda.gov/cder/aers/potential_signals/potential_signals_2008Q1.htm
User Agreement