Several commonly prescribed breast cancer drugs could lead to severe and even fatal lung issues, the FDA warned Sept. 13.
The drugs included in the warning are Pfizer's Ibrance, Novartis' Kisqali, and Eli Lilly's Verzenio.
Though cases are rare, the FDA said the drugs could cause interstitial lung disease and pneumonitis.
The FDA warned patients taking the breast cancer drugs to watch for symptoms of pulmonary distress, including difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. Physicians should regularly monitor patients taking the drugs for symptoms of ILD and pneumonitis.
Patients who have developed ILD or pneumonitis should permanently stop taking the breast cancer drugs, the FDA said.
However, the FDA said the overall benefits of the breast cancer drugs are greater than the risks.
Read the full report here.
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