FDA: More Label Warnings for Anemia Drugs

The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday issued anticipated label revisions for anemia drugs such as Amgen's (AMGN Quote) Aranesp and Johnson & Johnson's (JNJ Quote) Procrit.

Revisions have been expected since a March advisory panel recommended to limit the drugs' use. The drugs, formally known as erythropoiesis stimulating agents, or ESAs, prompt the production of hemoglobin in patients undergoing cancer treatments, which can often cause severe anemia.

But data from clinical trials have shown that higher doses of the drugs may result in worse outcomes, such as higher risk of death and possibly tumor growth, for cancer patients. ...