Drugs pulled from the market include the painkiller Vioxx and diet pills Pondimin and Redux

Risky drugs pulled from the market in recent years

When a drug’s risks exceed its benefits, the federal Food and Drug Administration may ask or order a company to withdraw it from the market, or a company may do so on its own. Here are some drugs withdrawn in recent years.

2010

Mylotarg

Use: Acute myeloid leukemia

Risks: Liver disease

Manufacturer: Pfizer Inc. (formerly Wyeth)

2009

Raptiva

Use: Psoriasis

Risks: A rare brain infection

Manufacturer: Genentech

2007

Zelnorm

Use: Relieves constipation

Risks: Increased risk of heart problems

Manufacturer: Novartis AG

Permax

Use: Parkinson’s disease

Risks: Heart valve damage

Manufacturer: Valeant Pharmaceuticals International

2005

Cylert

Use: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Risks: Liver problems, including death

Manufacturer: Abbott Laboratories

Bextra

Use: Painkiller

Risks: May increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes; also may cause rare but serious skin conditions

Manufacturer: Pfizer Inc.

Tysabri

Use: Multiple sclerosis

Risks: Rare, but life-threatening side effect

Manufacturer: Biogen Idec Inc. and Elan Corp. PLC

Note: Drug returned to market in 2006 under a restricted distribution.

2004

Vioxx

Use: Anti-inflammatory

Risks: Heart attacks, strokes

Manufacturer: Merck & Co.

2001

Baycol

Use: Lowers cholesterol

Risks: Severe damage to muscle, sometimes fatal

Manufacturer: Bayer

2000

Lotronex

Use: Irritable bowel syndrome (women)

Risks: Intestinal damage from reduced blood flow

Manufacturer: Glaxo Wellcome (now GlaxoSmithKline PLC)

Propulsid

Use: Nightime heartburn

Risks: Fatal heart rhythm abnormalities

Manufacturer: Janssen Pharmaceutica

Rezulin

Use: Diabetes

Risks: Severe liver toxicity

Manufacturer: Parke-Davis/Warner-Lambert

1999

Hismanal

Use: Antihistmine

Risks: With other drugs or high dose can cause fatal heart rhythm

Manufacturer: Janssen Pharmaceutica

Raxar

Use: Antibiotic

Risks: Fatal heart rhythm abnormalities

Manufacturer: Glaxo Wellcome (now GlaxoSmithKline PLC)

1998

Posicor

Use: High blood pressure, chronic stable angina

Risks: Dangerous interaction with other drugs

Manufacturer: Roche

Duract

Use: Pain reliever

Risks: Severe liver damage

Manufacturer: Wyeth-Ayerst

Seldane

Use: Antihistamine

Risks: Fatal heart rhythm abnormalities

Manufacturer: Hoechst Marion Roussel, Baker Norton

1997

Pondimin

Use: Obesity

Risks: Heart valve abnormalities

Manufacturer: Wyeth-Ayerst

Redux

Use: Obesity

Risks: Heart valve abnormalities

Manufacturer: Wyeth-Ayerst

Sources: FDA, The Associated Press, FDAnews Drug Pipeline Alert

Compiled by Associated Press news researcher Rhonda Shafner