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Saudi FDA Safety Communication Re. : Using Aclasta®) Product

2011-10-04


The Saudi FDA has communicated a warning circular about the risk of developing kidney failure due to using Aclasta®) product. The warning included the possibility of increase of this risk when using this product by patients who have deficiency of kidney functions or other risk factors such as aging, or using other drugs that may affect the kidneys e.g. urine stimulating drugs, or lack of body fluids after using this product. SFDA advised health care professionals not to use Aclasta®) product for patients whose Creatinine Clearance level is lower than 35% or patients who have acute kidney failure. SFDA has also announced that the manufacturer will communicate a message to all health care professionals advising them of the risk of developing kidney failure when using Aclasta®) product and will update the product bulletin to include this warning.
SFDA recommends that the following instructions shall be observed by Health Care Professional:
• Stop using Aclasta®) for patients whose Creatinine Clearance level is lower than 35ml/min. or patients with acute kidney failure
• Be cautious when prescribing Aclasta®) for patients who use other products affecting kidney functions
• Measure Creatinine Clearance level every time before giving Aclasta®) to the patient and measure Creatinine Clearance level periodically for patients using this product. A temporary increase of Creatinine level occurs in patients who suffer deficiency of kidney functions
• Emphasize the importance of giving adequate hydration to patients before and after using Aclasta®), particularly for patients of old age or patients using urine stimulating drugs
• The risk of developing acute kidney functions failure may increase in patient with kidney disease or dehydration due to fever or blood bacterial infections, or loss of important nutritional elements or fluids through alimentary canal.

• The dose of Aclasta®), shall not exceed 5mg and at a rate of not less than 15 minutes through veins
• For further inquiries about use of Aclasta®), please contact the national center for drugs and toxics information through the following link:
http://www.sfda.gov.sa/Ar/Drug/Topics/toxicinfo_dept
SFDA encourages users and health care professional to cooperate with it by reporting any side- effects of using Aclasta®), to the National Pharmacovigilence Centre , at the following address:
National Pharmacovigilence Centre
Saudi Food & Drug Authority – Drug Sector
3292- Northern Ring Road- Al Nafal
Riyadh 13312-6288
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Telephone: 012759222 Extension: 5769,2356, 2354, 2317,2353, 2334
Fax: 012057662
Email: NPC.Drug@sfda.gov.sa
Portal: www.sfda.gov.sa/NPC

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