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Article: Black box warnings: should you beware? Some medications carry the FDA's strongest, "black box"warning--but that doesn't mean the drugs are dangerous for everyone.(MANAGING YOUR MEDICATIONS)
- Article from:
- Focus on Healthy Aging
- Article date:
- September 1, 2006
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 Belvoir Media Group, LLC. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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In March, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruled that the asthma medications fluticasone propionate and salmeterol (Advair) and salmeterol xinafoate (Serevent) must carry the FDA's strongest warning label--a "black box"--alerting users that several deaths have been associated with an ingredient found in these drugs. Earlier this year, two topical eczema treatments also began carrying a "black box" warning due to a possible cancer risk.
As the name suggests, black box warnings consist of a black box inside a drug information insert. This box prominently lists symptoms that could indicate problems associated with the medication.
Understanding what it ...