Australian researchers find drug link to heart problems
SYDNEY. February 24. KAZINFORM Australian researchers have found that a common drug used to treat osteoporosis could be placing people at increased risk of blood clots and stroke; Kazinform refers to Xinhua.
Associate Professor Gustavo Duque from the University of Sydney revealed on Wednesday that the research team had investigated the suspected unintended side-effect of the drug alendronate, and they found laboratory evidence that it could prompt an irregular heart beat.
"Population studies had already shown that using this osteoporosis drug ... was associated with a higher incidence of arrhythmia, or atrial fibrillation," he said.
"What we've found for the first time in laboratory experiments is a cause and effect"; Kazinform cites Xinhua.
See www.xinhuanet.com/english2010/ for full version