Add warnings to prostate cancer hormones: FDA

Last Updated: Wednesday, October 20, 2010 | 5:24 PM ET Comments6Recommend10 CBC News

Some hormone treatments for prostate cancer are linked to an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular problems, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists are a class of drugs mainly used to treat men with prostate cancer by suppressing production of testosterone.

Suppressing testosterone has been shown to shrink or slow the growth of prostate cancer, the FDA said.

The U.S. regulator said Wednesday it's asked manufacturers to add new warnings to this class of drugs.

"In May, the FDA said that a preliminary and ongoing analysis found that patients receiving GnRH agonists were at a small increased risk for diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and sudden death. The new labels will include updates in the Warnings and Precautions section about these potential risks," the FDA said in a release.

GnRH agonists are marketed in Canada and the U.S. under the brand names:

• Eligard.
• Lupron.
• Synarel.
• Trelstar.
• Vantas.
• Zoladex.

Several generic versions are also available.

Although the risk for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases appears to be low in men receiving GnRH agonists for prostate cancer, it is important for healthcare professionals to evaluate patients for risk factors for these diseases, the FDA said.

For example, doctors should periodically monitor blood glucose levels in patients taking the drugs.

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/10/20/prostate-cancer-hormone-treatment-risks.html

Read FDA Statement

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm230334.htm