BMS issues drug warning. (Markets: Life Sciences).(Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.'s HIV drug, Zerit)(Brief Article)

Chemical Market Reporter, April, 2002

BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB Company (BMS) has warned physicians of the risk of fatality associated with its HIV drug Zerit (stavudine), a nucleoside analogue. Zerit had sales of $618 million in 2000. In a letter to physicians from BMS dated February 2002, BMS says it has received reports of rare occurrences of rapidly ascending neuromuscular weakness, mimicking the clinical signs of Guillain-Barre syndrome, in HIV-infected patients receiving stavudine in combination with other antiretrovirals.

Some cases were fatal. BMS also warned of manifestations of hyperlactatemia and lactic acidosis syndrome, linked to the use of therapy with nucleoside analogues, including Zerit. Zerit was approved by the FDA in 1994. Sales of Videx (didanosine), BMS's other...

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