After reading the results from a number of studies, FDA has said that high dosage of Procrit, Aranesp and Epogen could increase the risk of blood clots, strokes, heart attacks and deaths in patients suffering from chronic kidney failure.

Over 1 million Americans use any of the three drugs, with sales of the drugs totaling more than $10 billion last year. Both Aranesp and Epogen are manufactured by Amgen while Procrit is manufactured by Johnson & Johnson.

Procrit and Epogen are artificial forms of erythropoietin or epo, which is present in human kidney and boosts the production of hemoglobin. Many analysts believe that the drugs are prescribed unnecessarily as it provides a source of revenue to kidney dialysis centers and oncologists.

However many studies, including one conducted by Amgen, has shown that over usage of these drugs could lead to serious health problems for patients.

A study published last November in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that patients who were suffering from kidney disease and were treated with high doses of Procrit were more prone to heart attacks compared to other patients.

FDA added that new warnings will be added to labels of the drugs and recommended that doctors should reduce the dosage of the drugs.

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