Amgen Adds Warning About Higher Doses of Anemia Drugs

Amgen Inc has attached a warning to its drug Aranesp, which is used to treat chemotherapy-induced anemia in cancer patients. The warning was added to the drug’s safety information after tests on two other drugs showed higher risks of blood clots and death. A letter to health care professionals dated January 11 was posted on the FDA’s Web site Friday. It instructs health care professionals to contact Amgen’s Medical Information Connection at 1-800-77-AMGEN with any problems. The company reported that problems with two similar drugs developed when the drugs were given against recommended dosing.