An oxyphenbutazone is a metabolite formed by hydroxylation at position 4 of the phenyl ring in phenylbutazone. In 1984, the drug was withdrawn from the market due to its association with blood dyskrasis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. It was used as its hydrate to treat pain, swelling, and stiffness associated with arthritis and gout. It is a drug that is a non-opioid painkiller. Underdeveloped countries like India and Pakistan commonly use it as a single drug; however, it is strictly banned in the US due to its side effects of bone marrow depression and reduction of blood cell count. There have been a lot of deaths in the United States as a result of it.
Propoxyphene was a painkiller that was banned in the United States due to it causing adverse effects in heart rhythm and electrical activity in the heart making it unsafe for consumption and having to be taken off the market. It was an opioid painkiller used to treat mild to moderate pains.
There are a lot such drugs that FDA has banned although they are widely prescribed medications in other parts of world. Each country has its own drug approval committee that gather data of safety and efficacy of drug. Eg- Nimesulide is widely prescribed in developing countries by pediatrician, Metamizole another pain killer which sold in India although many countries have ban placed. Ivermectin which remained always out of covid treating sop was used as first line tretment in many parts of small development pockets in the world.
There's a long list of drugs that are banned in the US and still distributed in other countries including but not limited to: oxyphenbutazone due to bone marrow depression and the reduction of RBCs, nimesulide due to liver failure, propoxyphene and nitrafurazone due to arrhythmias, and nandrolone decanoate due to being classed as an androgenic-anabolic steroid. When it comes to drugs banned by the FDA, I've always wondered how certain drugs obtain approval and make it to shelves with similar side effects to those that are banned. For example, doxapram hydrochloride is an injection used as a respiratory stimulant for patients exhibiting respiratory depression as a result of post-anesthesia, drug-induced central nervous system depression, and chronic pulmonary disease associated with acute hypercapnia. Side effects include dyspnea, paresthesia, arrhythmias, and a decrease in RBC counts.
What sets these drugs apart from those that are banned? What makes drugs like propoxyphene and nitrafurazone less safe than current drugs on the market that have similar side effects?
There are many examples of different drugs banned from different countries. The main reason for this is that even though there are standards set up for these testing, different countries will adapt them differently. Some countries may fully adopt them, others won't really consider them too much which others will use them and make them even stricter. Giving way for different countries to have different drugs than others who may have it banned. One example of this is Nimesulide which is a non-opioid pain killer that can has the side effect causing liver failure. It is recalled in the United States but in some countries it is still available and only restricted to adults.
https://www.knowleswellness.com/blog/list-of-banned-medicines-in-the-united-states/
DO you guys know any drugs that are banned in US but not in Europe or other countries? And if yes, why was drug banned in USA but not in other countries?
Example: Cerivastatin is one of the drug that US banned manufactured by Bayer. Side effects of this drug include rhabdomyolysis (destruction of skeletal muscles). With this side effect, patients suffered from damage to muscles followed by kidney failure. Unfortunately, it is still available in India.
There are many drugs that are banned in the US which are available to other countries. An example of a drug that is prohibited in the US and available in other countries is Nimesulide, a painkiller that has never been in the US due to a side effect of liver failure. Nimesulide is banned from children worldwide but is restricted for adults in some severe cases where other painkillers cannot do the job. This is unusual since studies prove this drug causes kidney failure, but some countries seem not to recognize the severity of this drug and still have it available for patients to use.
One of the main reasons why drugs and medical devices that are banned in the US but available in other countries, especially 3rd world countries, is due to corruption and greed. Many 3rd world countries have looser policies and regulations regarding drugs and devices, which allow for many corporations to sell their product to people regardless of the dangers they could impose. Bribery can ply a huge part into this. Fake or knockoff drugs have been created and sold within many 3rd world countries for a profit. Drugs are also smuggled into countries to be sold on black markets.
The varying legality of drugs across countries reflects different approaches to drug regulation, risk assessment, and public health priorities. This includes regulatory differences, public health and cultural context, pharmaceutical and economic factors.
The FDA's strict drug regulations often lead to bans on drugs with potential risks. Other countries may have lower risk thresholds and allow these drugs. Countries may allow risky drugs for prevalent conditions if alternatives are unavailable or expensive. Societal attitudes towards drug use, addiction, and pain management vary by country. Pharmaceutical companies often avoid FDA approval due to high costs. They may sell drugs in other countries with less strict regulations. Drugs banned in the U.S. may still be available globally.
Drug bans highlight differences in medical science, regulations, and socio-economic factors. In that case, global cooperation is essential for drug development and regulation.
I guess it's just the matter of perfectionsim. I think different countries have different amount of "risk" that they can accept in exchange of treatment that can save and ease their lives, which makes perfect sense because we as human, also differ in how much risk we can take in exchange for certain things, which depends on our background and situation. I really think that medicare in the US is crazy, and as much as you pay for, you may want something very high quality? At the same time, people always mention "my drug is FDA approved" with pride, isn't it the whole point: being qualified by FDA.
