According to findings presented at the American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics meeting, cancer patients are receiving mixed messages from their oncologists and their primary care doctors in the form of conflicting prescriptions, and the results are compromising these patients' lives.
Research presented by Medco Health Solutions Inc., examined pharmacy claims concerning over 11,000 patients prescribed one of several anti-cancer drugs from the specific class known as oral kinase inhibitors. Among others, these included:
-- Gleevec
-- Tasigna
-- Sutent
-- Nexavar
-- Tarceva
-- Sprycel
-- Tykerb
-- Votrient
Commonly prescribed non-cancer fighting drugs that pose a potential threat to one's health through adverse "drug-drug interactions" (DDI) include:
-- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as Nexium and Prevacid
-- Steroids
-- Calcium channel blockers
-- Some antibiotics and antifungal treatments
Medco's findings indicate for example that as many as three of four patients taking Votrient for kidney cancer are also taking a drug that can make the drug more toxic. Furthermore, over half of those on Tarceva were also taking a drug that effectively weakened the anti-cancer action of Tarceva.
Said Dr. Milayna Subar of Medco's Oncology Therapeutic Resource Center, "The fact that one-quarter to 75 percent of patients on these oral drugs may not be getting the full benefit of their treatment or may in fact be putting their health at further risk because of another medication they are taking is concerning."
While labels for the drugs often stated contra-indications, patients were prescribed one by their oncologist and the other by their primary care doctor. While the overlap often didn't last very long, the effects suggest a lack of communication.
Source: Reuters
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