Sixty-Two Died After Allergic Reactions to Heparin

April 8 (Bloomberg) -- Sixty-two people given the blood- thinner heparin died since January 2007 after suffering allergic reactions or low blood pressure, up from 19 previously reported, U.S. regulators said.
The symptoms were consistent with those that led to a recall of Baxter International Inc.'s version of heparin, Food and Drug Administration spokeswoman Karen Riley said today after the data were posted on the agency's Web site. Riley couldn't immediately say how many of the deaths occurred in patients who used Baxter's version of the drug.
The agency increased the toll from the 19 reported last month after reviewing additional information, Riley said. The FDA hasn't determined whether the reported deaths are the result of a contaminant that has been identified in Baxter's heparin. Regulators are investigating whether the cheaper ingredient was added to raw heparin from China accidentally or intentionally to boost profits.

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