(November 5, 2007)--The FDA says drug maker Bayer has agreed to stop selling its anti-bleeding drug Trasylol after a Canadian clinical study last month found that it could be linked to a higher risk of death than other drugs.
The drug is used to prevent excessive bleeding during heart bypass surgery.
Two studies last year linked the drug's use to serious side effects like kidney problems, heart attacks and strokes.
Bayer has said it believes the drug is safe and effective.
But it says it will work with the FDA to re-evaluate the drug's risks and benefits and determine if any label changes are needed.
The FDA notes that there aren't many treatment options for excessive bleeding during cardiac surgery, so it says it's working with Bayer to phase the drug out in a way that won't cause shortages of other medications.
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