Unapproved Epidural Injections of Corticosteroids May Pose Serious Neurological Risks Warns FDA

In a Drug Safety Communication posted today, the FDA warns that "injection of corticosterioids into the epidural space of the spine may result in rare but serious adverse events, including loss of vision, stroke, paralysis, and death."  The injections in question (methylprednisolone, hydrocortisone, triamcinolone, betamethasone, and dexamethasone) are given to treat neck, back, arm, and leg pain.  The FDA has not approved corticosteroids for this use.  The FDA is requiring an additional Warning to the drug labels of injectable corticosteroids to describe these risks.  
[1] FDA Drug Safety Communication "Epidural Corticosteroid Injection: Drug Safety Communication - Risk of Rare But Serious Neurologic Problems", April 23, 2014.

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