FDA Warns Bristol Myers Leukemia Drug Could Cause Hypertension

The Food and Drug Administration has reportedly warned against Bristol-Myers Squibb’s (NYSE:BMY) leukemia drug sprycel, claiming it may increase the risk of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

The risk information has been added to Bristol Myers' drug label for sprycel, according to Reuters, citing the FDA.

The U.S. agency initially approved the drug for treatment of the rare blood cancer called chronic myeloid leukemia in October 2010. The disease is a slowly progressing blood and bone marrow disease linked to a genetic abnormality.

Sprycel, which is taken orally, is believed to inhibit the activity of certain proteins responsible for the growth of cancer cells, allowing bone marrow to begin reproducing normal red and white blood cells.