FDA MedWatch Alerts
Printable Version   Email to a friend

Micro-bubble Contrast Agents (marketed as Definity (Perflutren Lipid Microsphere) Injectable Suspension and Optison (Perflutren Protein-Type A Microsp

November 1, 2007
Audience: Radiologists, radiology technicians, cardiologists, other healthcare professionals
[Posted 10/12/2007] FDA has received reports of deaths and serious cardiopulmonary reactions following the administration of ultrasound micro-bubble contrast agents used in echocardiography. Four of the 11 reported deaths were caused by cardiac arrest occurring either during infusion or within 30 minutes following the administration of the contrast agent; most of the serious but non-fatal reactions also occurred in this time frame. As a result, the manufacturers of Definity and Optison have agreed to revise the labeling for these products in order to optimize their safe use.

Revised labeling includes changes to the following sections: BOXED WARNING, CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS, and a statement in the INDICATIONS section cautioning that the safety and efficacy of the use of Definity with exercise or pharmacological stress testing have not been established. Together these labeling changes emphasize the risk for serious cardiopulmonary reactions, and that the use of these products is contraindicated in patients with unstable cardiopulmonary status, including patients with unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction, respiratory failure, or recent worsening congestive heart failure.

[October 12, 2007 - Drug Information Page - FDA]
[October 12, 2007 - Information for Healthcare Professionals - FDA]

Latest FDA MedWatch Alerts...

FDA MedWatch Alerts Archive

2008: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
2007: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
2006: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
2005: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
2004: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
2003: Jan | Feb | Apr | May | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
2002: Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Sep | Oct | Nov

More News Resources


MedNotes
Latest Drug Information Updates

Promacta
Promacta (eltrombopag) is a thrombopoietin receptor agonist indicated for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura.

Banzel
Banzel (rufinamide) is a triazole derivative antiepileptic drug for the adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

Apriso
Apriso (mesalamine) is a once-daily, locally-acting aminosalicylate indicated for the maintenance of remission of ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults.

LoSeasonique
LoSeasonique is a lower-dose, extended-cycle oral contraceptive indicated for the prevention of pregnancy.

Acanya
Acanya (benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin phosphate) is a topical antibacterial and antibiotic combination for the treatment of acne.

Toviaz
Toviaz (fesoterodine fumarate) is a competitive muscarinic receptor antagonist indicated for the treatment of overactive bladder with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and frequency.

Vimpat
Vimpat (lacosamide) is an anti-convulsant drug for the treatment of partial onset seizures in adults with epilepsy.

Astepro
Astepro (azelastine) is a nasal antihistamine for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Rapaflo
Rapaflo (silodosin) is an alpha(1)- adrenoreceptor antagonist for the treatment of the signs and symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or enlarged prostate.

Cinryze
Cinryze is a C1-esterase inhibitor indicated for routine prophylaxis against angioedema attacks in adolescent and adult patients with Hereditary Angioedema (HAE).

Akten
Akten (lidocaine hydrochloride) Ophthalmic Gel is a topical, ocular anesthetic formulation for use in ocular procedures that require a topical anesthetic agent.

AdreView
AdreView is a diagnostic radiopharmaceutical agent indicated for use in the detection of rare neuroendocrine tumors in children and adults.

Sancuso
Sancuso (granisetron transdermal system) is an anti-emetic transdermal delivery system indicated for the control of nausea and vomiting in patients receiving moderately and/or highly nausea-inducing chemotherapy.

Nplate
Nplate (romiplostim) is a thrombopoietin mimetic peptibody for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in adult patients with chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

Xenazine
Xenazine (tetrabenazine) is a selective and reversible centrally-acting dopamine depleting drug indicated for the treatment of chorea associated with Huntington's disease.

More...