FDA Says Heart Imaging Drugs Continue To Be Linked To Serious Side Effects

Jun 23, 2008 (financialwire.net via COMTEX) -- GE | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- June 23, 2008 (FinancialWire) The Food and Drug Administration said that despite warnings to physicians, drugs used to improve medical images of the heart continue to be linked to serious side effects and some deaths.

Definity was marketed by Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE: BMY | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) until December, when it sold the drug to privately held Lantheus Medical Imaging, and General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) markets a similar drug called Optison. The FDA said it recorded fewer safety problems with Optison because GE stopped selling it between 2005 and 2007.

The FDA said that since October it has received four reports of patients dying after receiving injections of the drug Definity. One patient with congestive heart failure died within five minutes of receiving the drug.

In October, the FDA placed its most serious warning on the imaging drugs after receiving about 200 reports of serious allergic reactions, seven of which caused death.

The drugs, known as contrast imaging agents, are used in echocardiograms, or ultrasound procedures that show movement of blood through the heart. The agents contain tiny gas bubbles that help doctors spot small clots and other potential heart problems.

Shares of GE fell 53 cents to $27.38 Friday, while Bristol-Myers dropped 36 cents to $19.56.

FinancialWire" is a fully independent, proprietary news wire service of Investrend Information (a division of Investrend Communications, Inc.). FinancialWire" news is written by professional journalists, dedicated to pure journalistic standards. FinancialWire" does not receive or accept any compensation from any individual or subject company (or representative thereof) for its news or opinions. All FinancialWire" news is available at http://www.financialwire.net . Please address any inquiries to feedback@financialwire.net .

Free annual reports for companies mentioned in the news are available at http://investrend.ar.wilink.com/?level=279 .

http://www.financialwire.net

More News:   Market Updates | Stock Alerts | All Trading News | Stock Index