The antiemetic, metoclopramide, commonly prescribed for chemotherapy, most likely contributed to the 23-year-old’s death. Experts say that the drug is safe after all. The deceased’s family disagrees.
In Britain, a distraught mother recently attacked doctors for prescribing her son a drug that she believed had robbed him of his chance to fight cancer. James Buchanan survived just over six weeks after being diagnosed with testicular cancer at the age of 23. While on chemotherapy, this information technology student was prescribed the antiemetic, metoclopramide, to help him survive the grueling treatment.
Jane’s mother, however, believes her son was unable to beat the cancer because the pills – now under the control of the Medicines and Health Agency – caused him terrible side effects. One of them was a brain disorder that caused him to die in the mind of an 80-year-old man.
A Falkirk office worker says she still can’t get high-level health care workers to answer questions about her son’s death. “The drug deprived him of any chance of fighting cancer,” he says. – James was a quiet boy and had a great sense of humor if he felt comfortable in someone else’s company. He was funny, witty and had a big heart. He forgave mistakes easily and I miss him so much. He left a huge void in the lives of all of us.
James, who had a genetic neuromuscular disorder, was diagnosed at Stirling Royal Infirmary two years ago. Five days later he began chemotherapy at the Scottish Cancer Center in Glasgow. Two days after taking the chemotherapy, he began vomiting and was given an anti-sickness drug, also known as maxolon. It is commonly prescribed to help stop vomiting, but it belongs to a group of drugs that are thought to have neurological side effects.
Soon James began to experience muscle spasms, a high temperature and unconsciousness. Jane, wife of 53-year-old James Sr. and mother of Charlene, says: “We have never been warned of the side effects of this therapy. Doctors should have known that this drug was not suitable for James.
James was admitted to the intensive care unit, but his condition worsened rapidly, and a week later the neurologist said the disturbing symptoms could be a side effect of metoclopramide. Then the tablets were set aside. Nevertheless, the boy died on January 7, 2011, and the death certificate stated the cancer as a secondary cause of death.
Jane then asked Health Minister Michael Matheson and a spokesman for the Scottish Public Service, who admitted that the drug probably caused brain disorders, but refused to acknowledge her complaint. A letter from Jonathan Best, director of regional services for the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Service, added: Metoclopramide may have contributed to James’ neuroleptic syndrome, but his death had many other causes. “For me, this case is not closed and I have the impression that nobody wants to take responsibility for what happened,” comments Jane.
Glasgow and Clyde’s Great Health Council on December 1 did not respond to our request for comment.
Dr. Calor Cooper, Scottish Sun: Metoclopramide causes some health problems, but it is generally a very safe drug. It is commonly used in patients undergoing chemotherapy or suffering from migraines. Occasionally there are very rare but serious side effects, and it is difficult to predict who will experience them.
Vomiting is a side effect of almost all patients with chemotherapy. All antiemetics work on the brain, so taking any of them comes with risks. This case seems to be a very tragic exception to the rule.
Tekst: Paul Thornton