Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.

You’ve likely seen the commercials for Detrol. A woman is sitting in her doctor’s office and a woman-shaped figure similar to the ones seen on bathroom doors, is encouraging her to talk to her doctor about her frequent and sudden urges to go to the bathroom. The treatment has helped women find relief from overactive bladder.

Detrol is just one of the medications that has been added to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) quarterly report on treatments identified as a potential safety risk to patients. According to the report, Detrol, also known as Tolterodine Tartrate, is being evaluated by the agency after reports of patients diagnosed with Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS), a rare but life-threatening skin condition, after taking the medication.

SJS and its most severe form, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), are severe adverse reactions to medications. More than 200 medications have been linked to the condition. Those who suffer from SJS or TEN experience rashes that blister over and cause the skin to peel off in sheets. Blisters can also form on the eyes, inside the mouth and on internal organs, causing ocular problems, dehydration, infection and sometimes death.

Other medications listed in the FDA’s quarterly report and investigated for a possible link to skin reactions include hydrochlorothiazide in combination with other products, sleep disorder medications modafinil (Provigil) and Armodafinil (Nuvigil), and smoking cessation drug Chantix.

The FDA reports that it is continuing to evaluate these issues to determine if there is need for regulatory action. In the interim, the FDA emphasizes that the listing of a drug and a potential safety issue does not mean that the medicines should not be prescribed nor that patients taking those drugs should stop taking the medication. Patients with questions about their medication should contact their health care provider.

Source: FDA

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