Medication Taken Off the Market - Has it Happened to You?
Well, it has happened to me and I've weaned off the medication that I had. I'm extremely uncomfortable and not very happy that I'm now in the same place as I was four years ago. I'd launch a tirade on the "responsible" parties, but seeing as I'm in the pharma industry, it may not be a good idea. I've looked at websites to try to figure out who to complain to and all I've come up with is faxing my local Congressman...like he's really going to read that? Anyone know who to send letters to...maybe someone will listen if I email Oprah. |
|
|
| I'm sorry Stacy!
Do you mind if I ask which medication? Maybe there is an alternative or a generic version? |
| I am sort of curious to know why it was pulled -- is it riskier than they had thought or perhaps not effective or maybe too costly to produce and/or market and sell? |
| I had that happen a few years ago with Vioxx. It was the only medication that really worked on my back pain. Very annoying! |
| my sister's insulin was taken off the market. She was expected to take a synthetic one that she does not respond well too. We (and friends) wrote to everyone we could think of, talked to reporters, tried to do everything we could. Boy was it frustrating!!! It was still cancelled. I was able to get the last few bottles from the pharmaceutical company. (you may want to try that, if you contact the company they may have a few still on their shelves). In the end, Health Canada approved an animal insulin from the UK, before she and others ran out. I'd like to think we made a difference. |
| Yup,
One of Joan's brand-name meds was taken off the market by the company after a year or two of spotty availability. I'm sure the decision to remove it was based on finances, it was cheap, not popular and they may have been having trouble producing it (or didn't bother to try to produce it since it was so cheap). There were other version readily available and they work just fine, but Joan hates change. The MAJOR problem with this withdrawal was they also withdrew the liquid injectable version of the product which was the only one of its type, and we had for emergency use. When Joan was in big trouble I'd inject her with it. We've just about run out of the supply (and it is old) of the injectable, which was injected subcutaneously. The "replacement" is a mixable powder and solution contraption that requires some expertise and then a deep IM injection which I've never done and makes me nervous. |
Ron wrote: Yup,
The "replacement" is a mixable powder and solution contraption that requires some expertise and then a deep IM injection which I've never done and makes me nervous. Just AIM, CLOSE YOUR EYES AND STAB.... that's what I do when I have to give an IM  |
| ummm thanks. But really...
I don't want to hit the bone, break the needle or kill my wife, and it comes with no instructions on the injection thing. I need training... it an orange appropriate for IM? |
| Am orange is ok..... just remembering that human skin is not as tough (most human skin).
The upper deltoid is the easiest place and unless she is super skinny you should not have a problem. It may not be the most comfortable way, but since this is only in the event of emergency I am assuming that comfort is not your highest priority, but you absolutely can bring the needle to the skin and at a 90 degree angle insert with care...... the needle should actually go in fairly smoothly with little discomfort and you will be able to have more control and not hit bone. The nurse in the Dr's office SHOULD be able to give you a quick lesson. |
Valerie wrote: I am sort of curious to know why it was pulled -- is it riskier than they had thought or perhaps not effective or maybe too costly to produce and/or market and sell? A retrospective review of the safety database determined that 13 of 11,000 had cardiovascular problems. However, these people has cardio problems long before being on the medication. How about the rest of us?!!! Quote: I'm sorry Stacy!
Do you mind if I ask which medication? Maybe there is an alternative or a generic version? It's a medication for IBS with chronic constipation. I'll email you more information so I can vent openly  |
| It's very frustrating. I miss Vioxx too. Not only did it help me avoid shoulder surgery for 6 months (and it allowed me to participate in PT which meant a lesser surgery was required), it also reduced the allergy symptoms that I've had since birth.
Ron, practice with the orange. It will help you get comfortable with the larger syringe. I don't know how small a person Joan is, so the hip or thigh may be a better choice if she is small - larger muscles equal less chance to miss and less pain. She needs to relax and that helps too. |
| The needle isn't particularly long, but it's diameter seems HUGE.
Oh wait... you know.... hmmm.. I have two emergency preps, one is glucagon which is for low blood sugar. That has the syringe with it. But the one I've been talking (a steroid) about has no syringe with it, it's just in a box the size of the vial. I need to go look at the things again -- also, I see no reason that the steroid couldn't be given subQ, I'd just have to give several (6?) shots since the subq syringes we have have only 1/3cc capacity and I think the vial contains 2cc. I'm not sure a subQ needle would be successful in puncturing the vial though. Now I have to go look again. I recognize the withdrawn medication from your description, Stacy. You can feel free to name it if you wish. |
It's Zelnorm. You may have seen the commercials a while back. They showed stomachs with arrows to indicate how the meds create more movement in the intestines. It did wonders for me in all aspects of my life. It was to have an effect on the serotonin levels in the gut which also communicates with the brain. It seemed to have a little antidepressant effect for me as well. Now my brain and butt are sad 
This is the second helpful medication for my intestines that has been pulled off the market. There was another one called Propulsid (cisapride) that had been out there for years and was in generic form. It was pulled for similar cardiovascular reasons. Zelnorm came out shortly afterwards. There is another drug out there now which I tried for a few weeks. It didn't agree with me. So I need to increase my Miralax which is now over the counter, which means I'll have to pay more for it than my 3 month mail order supply prescription |
Stacy wrote: It seemed to have a little antidepressant effect for me as well. Now my brain and butt are sad
Poor Stacy!  |
Stacy wrote: It seemed to have a little antidepressant effect for me as well. Now my brain and butt are sad
Im sorry your dealing with this Stacy....but....  This Quote is Hilarious! I hope a good alternative can be found....so your brain AND butt can be happy again! |
lol, I agree. Poor butt Hope it starts feeling better soon  |
| My little home care client was on propulsid too - but for a different reason. Her constipation was from bowel resections and scar tissue.
Anyway - we were all upset when they pulled it! She has done reasonably well on low doses of Reglan. She is on it for the increased bowel motility effect it has. My IBS rarely gets to the constipation phase. I luckily  seem to stay in the loose and frequent side of things. |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|