FDA investigating link between asthma drug and heart attack, stroke risk

An ongoing clinical trial of the asthma drug Xolair suggests that patients taking the medication may have an increased risk of blood clots, heart failure, stroke, cardiac arrhythmias and heart enlargement when compared to patients not treated with the asthma drug, the Food and Drug Administration said Thursday. The agency announced it was assessing the significance of the preliminary findings to determine if further regulatory actions are necessary to protect patients.

Omalizumab, marketed as Xolair, is approved as a treatment for adults and children older than 12 who suffer from moderate to severe asthma complicated by seasonal allergies.

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