Pfizer withdraws drug for high blood pressure

NEW YORK — Pfizer Inc. said yesterday it is pulling its blood pressure drug Thelin off the market and stopping all trials because the drug can cause fatal liver damage.

Thelin is sold in the European Union, Canada, and Australia as an oral treatment for severe pulmonary arterial hypertension, or high blood pressure in the pulmonary artery. Pfizer said two patients who were taking Thelin died during a clinical trial, and a review of data from clinical studies and postmarketing reports showed a new link to liver injury.