Increased Risk of Leukemia due to Multiple Sclerosis Drug
A drug used to treat multiple sclerosis, Mitoxantrone an immunosuppressant has been found to heighten the risks of contracting leukemia as a side effect. The drug has been approved by the FDA and the side-effect is due to new research onto the interaction of the drug and the body’s response to it. High dosage of the drug has also been found to cause a lot of heart disease and can even cause irreversible heart damage according to the latest data from research.
The study involves Italians who have been using the drug as part of the clinical studies on the effectiveness of the drug against multiple sclerosis and the side-effect was very much a surprise the drug having already been approved by the FDA. Previous results proved to be insufficient and the longer time the study has taken is offering a better view into the interactions and effectivity of the drug against MS. Further studies are being undertaken with respect to the undesirable side effect and the FDA has put the drug on it’s watch list pending further study.