FDA Probes Risks of HIV and Other Meds

The federal Food and Drug Administration's latest Adverse Event Reporting System update indicates the agency is investigating potential safety issues associated with the HIV drug Kaletra and several other medications.

The FDA said it is tracking reports of liver toxicity in patients who received Kaletra to prevent HIV infection following exposure to the virus (postexposure prophylaxis).

The agency is also looking into reports of male breast cancer in patients taking the prostate drugs Avodart or Proscar, and in those taking the baldness product Propecia.

The quarterly report covers the period October through December 2009. The FDA emphasized that "the listing of a drug and a potential safety issue on this website does not mean that [the] FDA is suggesting prescribers should not prescribe the drug or that patients taking the drug should stop taking the medication."

For more information: see the FDA’s posting.