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Lethal drug

THE sale of terfenadine, an antiallergic drug, may soon be banned following adverse reports about its impact, especially from the US. The use of the drug, as a single dose or in combination with pseudoephedrine as a nasal decongestant, has led to serious cardiac cases in the US. It has even proved fatal when taken with certain anti-microbial medicines like erythromycin or when administered to patients with liver dysfunction. The drugs controller of India has sent notices to companies manufacturing and marketing formulations of terfenadine, warning them that the drug may be withdrawn from the market. The drug is marketed widely in the country under various brand names.

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