Health authorities around the world are urgently warning the public after certain medications were pulled from pharmacies due to a significant risk of dangerous cardiovascular events—including life-threatening blood clots, embolisms, strokes, and heart attacks. Regulators have begun suspending or recalling these drugs in multiple countries as investigations continue.
Patients and healthcare professionals alike are strongly advised to stay updated and consult their providers if they are using any medications potentially linked to these adverse effects.
What Are Blood Clots (Thrombi), and Why Are They So Dangerous?
Thrombi (singular: thrombus) are blood clots that form abnormally inside veins or arteries. While clotting is essential to stop bleeding after injury, clots that form inside blood vessels without injury can disrupt or completely block blood flow to vital organs. This can result in:
- Pulmonary embolism (clot in the lungs)
- Stroke (clot in the brain)
- Heart attack (clot in the heart’s arteries)
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT, usually in the legs)
These conditions can be fatal, particularly if the clot dislodges and travels to the lungs, heart, or brain. For this reason, any medication associated with increased clotting risk is treated with extreme caution by health regulators.
Which Medications Are Under Investigation or Removed?
Specific drugs vary by country, but health agencies have flagged several types of medications that may elevate clotting risk in certain individuals. These include:
- Hormonal contraceptives (especially third-generation birth control pills)
- Some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Specific diet pills and appetite suppressants
- A limited number of COVID-19-related treatments and vaccines (rare cases only)
Regulatory agencies such as the FDA (U.S.), EMA (Europe), and other national health ministries have either limited, suspended, or recalled certain drugs as a precaution. The heightened risk appears especially pronounced in people with:
- High blood pressure or cardiovascular disease
- Smoking history
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Family or personal history of clotting disorders
Warning Signs to Watch For
If you’ve recently taken any of the above medications, contact a healthcare provider immediately if you experience:
- Sudden chest pain or pressure
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Unexplained swelling, particularly in the legs or arms
- Severe headache, vision changes, or slurred speech
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Do not ignore these symptoms—seek emergency medical care. Prompt treatment is critical to avoid irreversible damage or death from clot-related complications.
What Should You Do Now?
- Do NOT stop taking prescribed medication on your own. Talk to your doctor before making any changes.
- If you are concerned, ask your provider whether an alternative medication or added monitoring is appropriate.
- Stay informed by checking updates from your country’s health ministry or global health bodies like the World Health Organization (WHO) or CDC.
- Report any unusual side effects or health events to your country’s adverse event monitoring system.
