People on anti-HIV drug Viracept are being warned batches of the therapy may have been contaminated with potentially cancer-causing chemicals.
People on anti-HIV drug Viracept are being warned batches of the therapy may have been contaminated with potentially cancer-causing chemicals.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency put out the alert after makers Roche moved to recall all batches of the drug in circulation.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency put out the alert after makers Roche moved to recall all batches of the drug in circulation.
The watchdog said patients prescribed the drug should "contact their doctor immediately" to change medication.
The watchdog said patients prescribed the drug should "contact their doctor immediately" to change medication.
Viracept works by reducing the amount of virus in the body.
It is thought there are about 550 people using the drug in the UK.
Viracept, also known by the generic name nelfinavir, works by reducing the amount of virus in the body.
The drug is a protease inhibitor, a class of drugs that helped revolutionise HIV treatment in 1990s.
Such drugs slow down or prevent damage to the immune system, and reduce the risk of developing Aids-related illnesses.
Such drugs slow down or prevent damage to the immune system, and reduce the risk of developing Aids-related illnesses.
Viracept received marketing approval in the US in March 1997 and in the European Union in January 1998.
Viracept received marketing approval in the US in March 1997 and in the European Union in January 1998.
It is licensed for use in combination with other anti-retroviral drugs.
It is licensed for use in combination with other anti-retroviral drugs.
The MHRA said there were fears the drug had been contaminated with a genotoxic substance, which is one that can affect the genes and potentially cause cancer.
The MHRA said there were fears the drug had been contaminated with a genotoxic substance, which is one that can affect the genes and potentially cause cancer.
A spokeswoman for Roche said there was no indication that the contamination was deliberate, but the company would be issuing a full statement later.
Have you ever taken the drug? What is your reaction to this news? Send us your views using the form below:
Have you ever taken the drug? What is your reaction to this news? Send us your views using the form below:
