Aprotinin / Trasylol

Aprotin linked to Kidney failure and Kidney dialysis

aprotinin use also increased risk of

myocardial infarction (48 percent),

heart failure (109 percent),

and stroke (181 percent).

According to the New England Journal of Medicine,

Aprotinin -- used to limit bleeding has now been proven to double a patient's risk of kidney failure, and increase the risk of heart attack, heart failure, and stroke.

The results are based on an independent, non-commercial, observational study conducted by The Ischemia Research and Education Foundation (IREF).

According to the article, replacing aprotinin with one of two safe generic drugs would annually prevent as many as 11,050 dialysis complications, save at least $1 billion in healthcare (dialysis) costs, and reduce drug costs by at least $250 million.

Alternaitves of Aprotinin include aminocaproic acid (generic), or tranexamic acid (generic).  The two generic drugs have proven safe in limiting blood loss, and do not have the harmful effects of Aprotinin.

Per the article, it is estimated that as many as 10,000 patients may be unnecessarily on dialysis today due to Aprotinin use.

Neither of aprotinin's generic competitors, aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid, was associated with increased renal, cardiac or cerebral events.

Aprotinin is at least ten times more expensive than its generic competitors.