Anti-Bleeding Drug Shown to Cause Kidney Problems, Death

By Elizabeth Rhein

Published on January 26, 2006

Since it was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1993, Trasylol has been widely used and believed to be safe. However, it is now believed that the clinical trials held prior to the drug's approval did not adequately calculate the risk of such health issues as renal (kidney) failure, heart attack, stroke, and death.

More recent analysis associates Trasylol with significantly higher risks of these complications than with the generic alternatives of aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid. In addition, the problematic name-brand drug also sports a much higher price tag than the generic drugs.

Bayer, the manufacturer of Trasylol, has asserted that it believes the medication to be safe when used in accordance with the directions on the label, and feels that the study is out of sync with more than 10 years of Trasylol's successful use.

Patients who expect to be given Trasylol during upcoming surgeries should talk to their doctor to determine the best course of action.

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