Makena – A Better Alternative to Terbutaline
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- Created on Wednesday, 18 January 2012 14:24
The FDA has recently approved a new drug called Makena to reduce or stop premature labor contractions. This comes on the heels of the FDA issuing a very strong warning against the preterm labor drug Terbutaline. Using Terbutaline to delay or stop preterm labor is an off-label use of Terbutaline, as its primary use is for the treatment of asthmatic conditions.
The FDA specifically warns against pregnant women using injectable Terbutaline for more than 48-72 hours to delay or stop their premature labor. Oral Terbutaline, the FDA warning continues, should not be used at all for this purpose, as there is no evidence that it is effective and it raises similar safety concerns. The safety risks that prompted these FDA warnings extend to both the mother and unborn child. They include lung and heart problems for the mother and birth defects in unborn children, including but not limited to speech defects, autism, cognitive difficulties, autism, and increased risk of brain damage.
Makena, while still a new drug, is at least FDA approved for the explicit purpose of lowering the risk of preterm births, whereas Terbutaline is not.
Makena is a synthetic form of progesterone and is manufactured by KV Pharmaceuticals at a cost of $1,500 a shot. Fortunately KV has a patient assistance program to make it more affordable. For women who are uninsured the drug can be administered for free if their annual household income is less than $60k. Uninsured women with household income between $60k and $100k would be able to receive the drug for the cost of co-pay. And insured woman, if they apply for assistance, and their income is less than $100k, can receive Makena for around $20.
While it may be too early to know if Makena is safe, it is currently a safer alternative to Terbutaline, according to statements by the FDA, and should be discussed with your doctor if you are at risk of preterm labor. If you or your child has experienced any negative side effects from Terbutaline you may have limited time to seek recovery. Genentech, the manufacturer or Terbutaline may have known that this drug, when used to stop or delay preterm labor, increase risk to the patient while not offering any significant benefits over alternative methods. For more free information about what options are available to you, contact the Terbutaline Claims Center today. They have a knowledgeable staff and are dedicated to helping you and your family receive financial compensation for your suffering and to prevent any future families from enduring similar hardships.
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