Tag: Discontinued drugs

Between 1953 and 2013, 462 medications were withdrawn worldwide, primarily due to adverse reactions [1.9.4]. Understanding what drugs are discontinued involves looking at safety, efficacy, and commercial factors that lead to their removal from the market.

Over the last century, a significant number of drugs have been voluntarily withdrawn by manufacturers or mandated by regulatory agencies, primarily due to adverse drug reactions and other safety issues. Understanding why a medication is no longer available is crucial for patient safety, as many factors beyond a safety recall can influence which medications are discontinued.

Over 50 years ago, guanethidine was an important medication for treating severe hypertension, with its primary brand name being Ismelin. Although effective, it has since been discontinued for oral use in many regions, including the United States, due to the availability of newer, safer, and more tolerable alternatives. Understanding the history of this drug, its brand name, and why it was phased out is key to appreciating the evolution of modern pharmacology.

In late 2023 and early 2024, manufacturer ViiV Healthcare phased out several brand-name formulations containing abacavir, including Ziagen tablets. This has led to widespread confusion and questions about the medication's status, but is abacavir discontinued? The answer is more complex, as generic versions and other formulations remain available for treating HIV.

For decades, APC tablets were a common over-the-counter remedy for headaches and fevers in many countries, but the formulation containing phenacetin is no longer sold due to severe health risks. This article explores what kind of medicine is APC and explains why its key ingredient led to its withdrawal from the market.

Despite persistent online rumors and confusion, Dexedrine has not been discontinued. While the brand-name Dexedrine *Spansule* has seen some formulations discontinued by its manufacturer, the active ingredient, dextroamphetamine sulfate, remains widely available through generic versions and other brand-name formulations. The misconception often stems from periodic drug shortages that affect many ADHD stimulants, including dextroamphetamine.

For decades, kaolin and morphine mixture was a common over-the-counter remedy for diarrhea in many places, including the UK. However, due to significant safety concerns related to its opioid content and other ingredients, you can no longer buy kaolin and morphine for self-medication, as it has been largely discontinued.

In 2009, pharmaceutical giant Hoffmann-La Roche announced it was ceasing production of the brand-name drug Accutane for the U.S. market. While many assume the move was a direct result of safety concerns, the reasons **why was Accutane discontinued in the US** are a complex mix of business decisions and mounting legal challenges, rather than an FDA-mandated recall.

Patented in 1966 and approved for medical use in 1977, etidronate was the first bisphosphonate to be used clinically for bone-related disorders. Despite its historical significance, etidronate was eventually discontinued from the market for most uses due to its inherent pharmacological limitations and the emergence of superior alternative medications.

Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, occurred in up to 1% of patients treated with chymopapain, contributing to a complex debate about its safety. This article explores the full story of why was chymopapain discontinued despite its effectiveness for many.