Table 2.
List of drugs withdrawn from the market for safety reasons because of severe cardiovascular effects.
| Drug name | Drug class or use | Year of withdrawal | Adverse reaction or safety concern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astemizole | Histamine antagonists | 1999 | Fatal arrhythmia |
| Azaribine | Antipsoriasis | 1976 | Thromboembolism |
| Buflomedil | Peripheral vasodilator | 2011 | Neurological and cardiac disorders |
| Benfluorex | Anorectic and hypolipidemic | 2009 | Risk of heart valve disease |
| Chlorphentermine | Sympathomimetics | 1969 | Cardiovascular toxicity |
| Cisapride monohydrate | Serotonin receptor agonists | 2000 | Fatal arrhythmia |
| Cloforex | Sympathomimetic | 1969 | Cardiovascular toxicity |
| Clobutinol | Cough suppressant | 2007 | QT prolongation |
| Dexfenfluramine | Serotonin uptake inhibitors, antiobesity agents | 1997 | Cardiac valvular disease |
| Dithiazanine iodide | Anthelmintic | 1964 | Cardiovascular and metabolic reaction |
| Dofetilide | Antiarrhythmia agents, potassium channel blockers | 2004 | Prolonged QT |
| Encainide HCl | Antiarrhythmic, sodium channel blockers | 1991 | Cardiotoxicity, ventricular arrhythmias |
| Fenfluramine | Sympathomimetic, serotonin uptake inhibitors | 1997 | Cardiac valvular disease |
| Grepafloxacin | Antimicrobial | 1999 | QT prolongation |
| Levomethadyl acetate HCl | Analgesics, opioid | 2003 | Cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac arrest |
| Mibefradil dihydrochloride | Calcium channel blockers | 1998 | Fatal arrhythmia |
| Orciprenaline | Sympathomimetic, bronchodilator, tocolytic | 2010 | Cardiac side effects, mainly palpitations and tachycardia |
| Pergolide mesylate | Dopamine agonists, antidyskinetics | 2007 | Risk for heart valve damage |
| Prenylamine | Vasodilator, calcium channel blockers | 1988 | Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and death |
| Propoxyphene | Analgesics, opioid | 2010 | Increased risk of heart attacks and stroke |
| Rofecoxib | COX-2 selective NSAID | 2004 | Risk for heart attack and stroke |
| Rosiglitazone | Antidiabetic treatment | 2011 | Risk of heart failure |
| Sertindole | Antipsychotic | 1998 | Arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death |
| Sibutramine | Appetite depressants | 2010 | Cardiovascular disorders |
| Sparfloxacin | Fluoroquinolone antibiotic | 2001 | QT prolongation |
| Tegaserod maleate | Serotonin receptor agonists | 2007 | Risk for heart attack and stroke and Unstable angina |
| Terfenadine | Histamine antagonists | 1998 | Cardiovascular toxicity, prolonged QT interval |
| Terodiline | Antispasmodic | 1991 | Ventricular tachycardia and arrhythmia |
| Thioridazine | Antipsychotic, dopamine antagonists | 2005 | cardiac disorders |
| Valdecoxib | Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory | 2005 | Risk for heart attack and stroke |