The Food and Drug Administration is in the process of approving a new transplant drug manufactured by Bristol Myers Squibb. The drug works by suppressing the body's immune system to boost chances the body will not reject a new organ. The drug is marketed exclusively for kidney transplants. Similar drugs have been used in the past for a variety of different organ transplants with the most notable side effects being liver toxicity.
The drug has shown a significant increase in patients surviving after a transplant when compared with other drugs but it has also shown some dangerous side effects. Higher rates of severe kidney rejection where noted when compared with other drugs. There is also a chance of developing a rare but fatal neurological disease called multifocal leukoencephalopathy. The disease attacks the brain and central nervous system with patients losing vision, memory and coordination. Multifocal leukoencephalopathy is usually fatal.
The FDA has sent the reports to an outside advisory panel to weigh in on its safety. The panel will also assess the risk management plan for the drug. The drug manufacturer will be required to inform doctors and patients of the severe risks associated with the drug.
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