Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer Blog

Stanford University researchers recently reported a new drug interaction between paroxetine (Paxil, GlaxoSmithKline) and pravastatin (Pravachol, Bristol-Myers Squibb), which may lead to diabetes in prone individuals, or worsen present diabetes cases.

As reported by Drug Topics, citing May data published online by Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, combining the two allegedly elevates average blood glucose levels by 19 mg/dL overall and by 48 mg/dL in patients with diabetes. Because random blood glucose levels usually fall in the low to mid-100s, the interaction may present a distinct risk to individuals suffering from preliminary or full diabetes.

Lead author for the report Nick Tatonetti told Drug Topics that this instance seems to mark the first occasion that data-mining techniques, usually used to monitor and forecast consumer habits, have been used to pinpoint drug interactions. Researchers searched FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS) for claims of ill effects involving glucose homeostasis and made a profile for diabetes-related incidents and followed a long trail of research that eventually led to the pairing of paroxetine and pravastatin.

According to the report, data from electronic medical records at Vanderbilt University and Partners HealthCare showed comparable outcomes. Early studies in mice show a marked interaction between that raises mean fasting blood glucose about 50 mg/dL; a forthcoming study is necessary to validate the interaction, according to researchers.

If you’ve suffered adverse diabetic reactions involving the combination of pravastatin and paroxetine, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. Call the Pennsylvania Paxil attorneys with Anapol Schwartz at 1-866-735-2792 for a free review of your case.

Jim Ronca of Pennsylvania personal injury law firm Anapol Schwartz recently won a $19.9 million settlement for patients affected by Bayer AG’s pharmaceutical drug, Trasylol. Mr. Ronca settled 20 cases in the national multi-district litigation and 19 cases in Pennsylvania.

The blood-preserving drug, which was approved for use during high risk heart bypass surgery and coronary bypass redo procedures, and later approved for all coronary bypass procedures, was alleged to cause kidney failure in some patients and increase the risk of death. Trasylol was available in the U.S. from 1993 until 2007 when the FDA requested that the drug be pulled off the market. In April 2008, the pharmaceutical giant recalled all stocks of Trasylol.

2006 saw the first Trasylol lawsuit filed by Anapol Schwartz and the firm was one of the first to earn settlements in litigation. The firm believes that its case played a key role in settlement discussions for both its cases and 34 other cases pertaining to Trasylol.

Anapol Schwartz was founded in 1977 and has established itself as a leading Pennsylvania civil justice and personal injury law firm. With success in handling a plethora of varying cases ranging from medical malpractice, truck accident injury, defective product, and dangerous drug litigation to unsafe toys, car crashes and other practice areas, the firm prides itself in providing injured individuals with the best legal representation possible. If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, contact the Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at Anapol Schwartz by calling (866) 735-2792.

Prescription drugs are supposed to be designed and manufactured to help people with medical conditions, not make those conditions worse or cause an individual to develop new ailments. While every pharmaceutical drug, both over the counter and prescription, runs the risk of side effects, some drugs carry much more serious side effects that outweigh their benefits.

One medication that has the potential to cause serious injury in some patients is Zocor, a popular prescription drug that is taken to lower cholesterol. Zocor is manufactured by Merck & Co. and is included in a family of pharmaceutical drugs called statins. These drugs are used to treat patients with high cholesterol as well as some people with cardiovascular disease. According to reports from the FDA, the serious risks associated with Zocor include:

• kidney damage or failure


• rhabdomyolysis, which is the breakdown of muscle fibers than can weaken muscles, making even the simplest daily tasks difficult or even impossible


• death

It is estimated that about 24 million Americans take Zocor every day. While the serious side effects occur in a small number of consumers, any number is unacceptable when the drug is supposed to help people, not harm them. Other, less serious side effects of Zocor include:

• jaundice


• chest pain


• dark urine


• red, swollen, blistering or peeling skin


• muscle pain (if this symptom is experienced, it would be wise to see a physician immediately as this could be a sign of rhabdomyolysis)

If you or a loved one has developed rhabdomyolysis or if a loved one has passed away after taking Zocor, please contact an experienced Zocor attorney like the ones at Anapol Schwartz. Our lawyers have handled and continue to handle a wide variety of pharmaceutical litigation cases and will ensure that you know your legal rights and are compensated justly for your injuries. For more information and to schedule a free consultation, call Anapol Schwartz today at (866) 735-2792.

The Pennsylvania personal injury law firm of Anapol Schwartz is pleased to announce the debut of its new Arava website: http://www.arava-lawyers.com/. The new website provides valuable information and resources regarding the following:

• Arava Side Effects
• Liver Failure Risks
• FDA Black Box Warnings
• Liver Failure Wrongful Death
• Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)
• Arava Lawsuits

The arthritis drug Arava (leflunomide) is manufactured by drug maker Sanofi-Aventis and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998 for those afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis. However, after reviewing Arava side effects from 2002 to 2009, the FDA identified a connection between the arthritis drug and 14 liver failure deaths and at least 49 cases of severe liver injury.

The new Arava website includes information regarding the drug safety alert that was issued by the FDA on July 13, 2010 informing patients and medical professionals of Arava’s black box warning. Aside from the risk of Arava liver failure, other potential side effects of Arava described in more detail on the new website include jaundice, joint disorder, encephalopathy (brain disease), blistering on the inside of eyelids, nose or mouth, coagulopathy (blood clotting problems), joint disorders, chest pain, peeling or blistering skin, and others.

To access more information regarding the revised Arava warning as well as other pertinent updates on the arthritis drug, please visit http://www.arava-lawyers.com/. The website managed by the experienced Arava side effects lawyers at Anapol Schwartz also provides additional information to help those afflicted by Arava in determining whether they have a potential Arava side effects lawsuit.

According to a recent article in Businessweek, a former FDA regulator may testify that GlaxoSmithKline, makers of the diabetes drug Avandia, withheld information indicating that Avandia increased the risks of heart trouble.

In a recent deposition, former FDA drug-safety unit manager Dr. Rosemary Johann-Liang testified that the FDA's 2001 study of Avandia found that the drug increased the risk of heart attack more than did rival medications. Glaxo also received an email from separate researchers stating that Avandia “strengthens the signals” of heart ailments, which it failed to turn over to the FDA.

Dr. Johann-Liang left the FDA in 2007 after recommending that Glaxo add additional warnings and information to Avandia's label about the risks Avandia posed to heart health. She stated that the FDA also provided Glaxo with internal information about how to improve the Avandia warnings.

An upcoming FDA advisory panel meeting in Washington will consider the risks Avandia poses of increasing heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular disease and whether these risks outweigh Avandia's beneficial ability to help control blood sugar. The panel may consider Dr. Johann-Liang's testimony when making its decision. The drug's manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, continues to maintain that no studies have proven that Avandia is dangerous.

Pharmaceutical companies have an obligation to provide consumers with the information they need to make their personal medical decisions. When information about a medication's potential harmful effects is withheld, the resulting side effects, injuries, and even deaths can affect a patient and his or her family for years to come.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a harmful or recalled drug, the experienced Avandia side effects attorneys at Anapol Schwartz stand ready to assist you. Our legal team will review the details of your case and help you hold negligent parties accountable as we fight to obtain the compensation you deserve. Please don't hesitate to call Anapol Schwartz today at 866-735-2792 for a free and confidential consultation.

The Pennsylvania personal injury law firm of Anapol Schwartz is proud to announce the debut of its new Mylan Generic Keppra website, http://www.mylankeppralawsuits.com/.

To help consumers and patients become more familiar with the potential risks of Keppra and Mylan generic Keppra, Anapol Schwartz’s new website addresses epilepsy, types of seizures, seizure statistics, generic Keppra side effects, generic Keppra, Levetiracetam (LVT), Topamax, Anti Epilepsy Drugs (AEDs), as well as the differences between generic and name brand drugs. The website also serves as a helpful resource for patients who have experienced serious side effects after their pharmacy switched them from the brand name to a generic without the patient’s or neurologist’s approval, or even notification.

As one of the leading manufacturers of generic drugs in the world, Mylan received final approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2009 to manufacture a generic substitute for the anti-seizure medication, Keppra, developed by UCB Pharmaceuticals Inc. and marketed to epilepsy patients. However, some generic Keppra users have experienced breakthrough seizures and also several other serious side effects despite being seizure free for years and not experiencing any side effects on brand name Keppra.

Those interested in learning more about the plausible dangers of Keppra and Mylan generic Keppra are encouraged to visit Anapol Schwartz’s new Mylan Generic Keppra website. Patients who have experienced sporadic increases in seizures and other severe side effects after switching from Keppra to a generic substitute are not helpless. Individuals who have been harmed by pharmaceutical products have valid legal rights and deserve to fully understand them in addition to knowing possible options for obtaining compensation from negligent drug manufacturers, pharmacy employees, or physicians.

For more information regarding Keppra and Mylan generic Keppra, please visit http://www.mylankeppralawsuits.com/ or contact the skilled Mylan generic Keppra lawyers at Anapol Schwartz for a free consultation by calling 866-735-2792.

Read the related report about the anti seizure drug Topamax which increases risk of newborn cleft palate.

Three pharmaceutical companies have issued a voluntary nationwide drug recall of liquid preparations of Ondansetron, an anti-nausea medication. The recall covers batches of Ondansetron manufactured between August 2009 and May 2010. The only affected batches are those in flexible plastic containers designed to be administered by IV, which are typically sold to hospitals.

West-Ward Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, and Sagent Pharmaceuticals all recalled batches of Ondansetron prepared by Claris LifeSciences, Inc. after it was discovered that the batches were not sterile because they had not been prepared properly. Although none of the three companies have received any complaints or reports of patients suffering adverse effects from the non-sterile preparations, all three issued a recall due to the danger a non-sterile medication poses, especially to patients with damaged immune systems.

Ondansetron is frequently given to cancer patients and patients recovering from surgery to help control nausea and vomiting. It is also known by its original brand name, Zofran.

West-Ward Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer have also issued voluntary recalls of IV preparations of the antibiotics Metronidazole and Ciprofloxacin for similar sterility problems. These medications were also prepared by Claris LifeSciences, Inc. and batches of each have shown the same lack of sterile solutions as the recalled batches of Ondansetron.

If you or a loved one has been injured by an unsafe or recalled drug, please don’t hesitate to call the experienced PA pharmaceutical litigation attorneys at Anapol Schwartz. Our Philadelphia drug recall attorneys will fight to protect your legal rights and hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. For a free consultation of your Pennsylvania product liability case, call 866-735-2792 today.

Personal Injury Law Firm Anapol Schwartz is proud to announce the debut of its new Zocor drug side effects website: http://www.zocor-lawyers.com/. The new website contains valuable information about the Food and Drug Administration’s recent warnings of serious health risks and side effects linked to Zocor use. Anapol Schwartz welcomes visitors of the Zocor website to learn more about Zocor through pages covering Zocor FAQs, warnings and recalls, kidney failure, side effects, rhabdomyolysis, simvastatin, about Zocor, and Zocor lawsuits.

Zocor is manufactured by Merck & Co. and was approved in 1991 for consumer use in the U.S. With the patent for Zocor expiring in 2006, the market for generic brands grew; however, in 2008, the FDA issued the first of many warnings linking Zocor to incapacitating muscle injury, kidney failure, and other serious side effects. Anapol Schwartz’s new Zocor website is available as a resource for those who have suffered injury or experienced a new medical condition as a result of taking the cholesterol lowering drug.

Patients and consumers who suffer health problems due to dangerous drugs or poorly designed and manufactured pharmaceuticals have the right to pursue compensation for damages associated with their injuries. Victims of pharmaceutical negligence should not seek legal counsel and representation from just any attorney. A skilled products liability lawyer with many years of experience in pharmaceutical negligence litigation can help those afflicted by Zocor and other drugs receive full and just compensation. If you or someone you love has sustained rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, or another side effect from taking Zocor, please visit Anapol Schwartz’s new website or call our Zocor injury attorneys at 866-735-2792 for a free consultation.

The H1N1 vaccine is doing more, and less, than it’s supposed to. According to reports from both ABC News and MSNBC.com, the swine flu vaccine is not always providing the necessary safeguard against the swine flu, and is even ladling some users with unwanted side effects in the form of allergic reactions.

An ABCNews.com report has revealed that a batch of the H1N1 vaccine has been recalled in Canada. Its maker, U.K.-based GlaxoSmithKline, has recalled the vaccine because it has caused at least six known cases of severe allergic reaction in its users. So far, 170,000 doses of the vaccine have been recalled in Canada. Although reports claim that this side effect is limited to the vaccine distributed in Canada, it has yet to be seen whether or not other users in different locations are also affected by this defect. A total of 7.5 million doses of the vaccine have been distributed in Canada thus far.

MSNBC.com reports a completely different issue, this time one that has affected children. According to the article, over 800,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine have been recalled by Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccine’s division of France-based pharmaceutical company Sanofi-Aventis Group. It has been determined that these particular doses of the vaccine are ineffective in preventing the onset of swine flu, thus putting children inoculated with the vaccine at risk of contracting the illness. The doses in question have minimal to no potency, and were distributed amongst children.

Continue reading "H1N1 Vaccine Recall Reveals Vaccine Doesn't Always Deliver as Promised" »

In what many people are referring to as “long overdue”, the FDA has recently announced its new program called “The Safe Use Initiative” to help lower wide-ranging problems associated with drug dose errors. According to a latimes.com report, the problem of drug dosage error takes a staggering toll on consumer and patient health in addition to costing about $4 billion a year. In fact, based on a study by the Institute of Medicine in 2007, approximately 1.5 million preventable “adverse drug events” take place in the United States every year. With this information in mind, it is no wonder that the Food and Drug Administration is calling on doctors, consumers, and various other healthcare professionals to help in identifying drugs and circumstances that may be particular problems.

In its efforts to lower the deaths and severe health problems brought about by misuses of medication, the FDA adverse event reporting system and the organization as a whole are trying to determine the most serious threats, dangers, and risks, and find ways to prevent them from happening. The agency is supposed to hold public hearings to gather information pertaining to the following drug concerns:

• Overuse of acetaminophen (a pain reliever that can cause liver damage if too much is taken)


• Information given to patients (i.e. package inserts, labels and instructions that pharmacists distribute when giving prescriptions)


• Ways to lower dosage errors in liquid medications by including a spoon or cup to accurately regulate a dosage

Continue reading "FDA Launches "Safe Use Initiative" to Lower Drug Dosage Errors" »

After suffering a stroke and additional related health problems, a 39-year-old Newark woman has filed a suit against Bayer Corp., the makers of the popular birth control product, Yaz. According to an insidebayarea.com article, the woman took Yaz, a prescription-only product, for four weeks in the summer of 2007 to help reduce premenstrual pains, which is one of Yaz’s advertised uses. She then suffered a stroke that resulted in six months of hospitalization.

In attributing her health problems to using Yaz, the woman had part of her skull temporarily removed, due to excessive swelling of her brain, until the affected portion of her skull was later replaced. The woman’s attorney stated that she also suffered a reduced IQ and is now close to being mentally handicapped in addition to experiencing a drastic change in her speech and mood.

Although Yaz is one of the most popular birth controls used in the world, it has been at the forefront of much debate and criticism for presenting additional health risks not associated with other birth-control pills. The woman in the aforementioned case and over 100 others have filed suit against Yaz’s maker, Bayer Corp.

Continue reading "39-Year-Old Woman Files Lawsuit against Makers of Yaz" »

Even though the FDA has not issued a recall of popular birth control pills Yaz and Yasmin as of September 2009, it is understandable for many consumers to have various questions of concern regarding the serious medical conditions that can result from taking these medications. One of the main questions refers to what kinds of dangers are linked to Yaz and Yasmin.

First of all, both Yaz and Yasmin contain a type of hormone that most birth control pills do not contain. Drospirenone (DRSP) has been linked to be the cause of increasing a woman’s potassium levels, which can create health problems for a woman who has liver, adrenal, or kidney disease. There have also been multiple incidents of Yaz and Yasmin increasing the chances of a woman suffering deep vein thrombosis (blood clot), stroke, heart attack, and other serious medical issues.

Another major question that consumers have been asking is whether studies have been conducted to support claims that Yaz and Yasmin can inflict serious injury. One study performed in the Netherlands discovered that all birth control pills raise the risk of blot clots by five times. What is more shocking, however, is that due to containing DRSP, Yaz and Yasmin have been shown to increase the risk by 6.3 times. In recognizing these dangerous Yaz side effects, the FDA issued a letter of warning to Bayer, the drugs’ manufacturer, regarding questionable results from tests for key ingredients in the pills and said that many batches of the oral contraceptive should never have been given to the public.

Continue reading "Yaz and Yasmin Questions of Concern for Consumers" »

Brookstone Pharmaceuticals has issued a voluntary recall of all lots of its Concentrated
Acetaminophen Drops that come in 16-ounce bulk containers. According to a consumer safety alert issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the 16-ounce container is comparable to the size normally used to package regular strength acetaminophen liquid preparations. This aspect of the product combined with the absence of an integrated dosage delivery device could possibly contribute to dosing errors or inadvertent overdosing.

Overdosing on acetaminophen can cause a variety of complications including liver toxicity, kidney damage and blood disorders. The recalled drops were manufactured by Pharmaceutical Associates Inc. Consumers and those who have this unsafe product in their possession are asked to stop using it right away.

Drug makers, pharmacists and doctors have a duty to make sure that the medications they prescribe do not cause their patients injury or harm. Some drugs have dangerous side effects that can sometimes leave patients with long-term or lifelong damage. In some cases, mislabeling of drugs can cause dosage errors, which can also result in serious personal injury or death.

Continue reading "Brookstone Recalls Acetaminophen Drops Because of Overdosing Hazards" »

In a country in which more than 22 million Americans (7.7% of the country’s population) suffer from asthma, and 10-30 percent of adults and 40 percent of children suffer from allergic rhinitis, it is no surprise that asthma and allergy medications are widely used by children and adults alike. It would seem inconceivable that these same medications we are prescribed by doctors can cause “neuropsychiatric events” to those who consume them. Ky3.com reported in a story on June 22, 2009 that this is the unfortunate conclusion of an investigation by the Food and Drug Administration. The study has prompted the agency to issue an order to the makers of Singulair and other leukotrienes, a popular asthma and allergy medication, to place warning labels on their medications which would inform consumers of potential dangerous side effects.

A mother of a boy was shocked to find out that it was her son’s asthma medication that was causing his erratic behavior. She said, “He started hitting me and kicking and screaming at me, to the point where I had to lock myself in the bathroom.” She later found out that hundreds of other parents had experienced similar occurrences. One report from another mother said, “He said, ‘I’m just going to kill myself so I don’t have to see you anymore.’ ” The boy’s condition was remarkably better after he stopped taking Singulair.

According to the FDA’s report into the mood and behavioral changes associated with Singulair, Accolate, Zyflo and Zyflo Cr, cases were reported of agitation, aggression, anxiousness, dream abnormalities and hallucinations, depression, insomnia, irritability, restlessness, suicidal thinking and behavior (including suicide), and tremor.

Continue reading "FDA Orders Asthma and Allergy Medication Warning Labels" »

The popular weight loss supplement Hydroxycut has taken off the market by the Food and Drug Administration to protect consumers. After 25 reports of liver damage and severe liver injury, what does this recall mean for the millions of people who have bought and used Hydroxycut products? To start with, if you haven’t already stopped taking Hydroxycut products, it is advised that you do so right away.

Due to Hydroxycut use, there has been one reported death caused by severe liver damage and 23 patients have required liver transplant surgery. It has not been revealed to the public which ingredients in Hydroxycut damage the liver. Symptoms of Hydroxycut liver damage include jaundice, weakness, brown urine, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain loss of appetite, and/or itching. Hydroxycut products have also been linked to a rare muscle/kidney conditions, adverse cardiovascular events and seizure.

Hydroxycut over-the-counter drugs have been purchased by over $7 million people for weight-loss, energy-enhancement, low-carb dieting, and fat-burning applications. Considering the prominent use of Hydroxycut nationwide, these numbers pose questions of how many cases of liver damage and liver injury have gone unreported and what will the future hold for any new cases?

Liver damage can be irreversible, which is why it is crucial to seek medical attention for your injuries if you have experienced any symptoms of liver failure or liver damage after using Hydroxycut products. You may also want to keep track of all your symptoms and any information regarding their characteristics and onset.

You are not alone if you find yourself asking, “Do I have a Hydroxycut case?” News of the recent FDA recall has provoked concern for consumers’ rights and you may have a potential Hydroxycut lawsuit, but time to file could be limited. The experienced personal injury attorneys in Pennsylvania at Anapol Schwartz are equipped with the resources, skills, and knowledge required for your Hydroxycut lawsuit. Recover the compensation you deserve. Call our Pennsylvania Hydroxycut lawyers today at 866-735-2792 for a free and confidential consultation.

The website philly.com reported in an account on March, 25 2009 that Philadelphia community groups and city council members urged the city’s law department to sue the drugstore chain CVS for continually selling expired products and exposing the public to unsafe drugs in Pennsylvania.

Shelley Smith, city solicitor, was called upon during the City Hall Press conference to follow California and New York legal action suits taken against CVS. CVS was sued in December by New York State for the sale of expired products. Edmund Brown, California’s Attorney General, requested in June 2008 that the pharmacy remedy its problem after coming across 26 Southern California stores. Currently, California is pursuing suing CVS.

Lance Haver, Philadelphia Community Affairs Director, said, “CVS should spend the money it needs to clear the shelves of expired products that are putting our children at risk.”

Maria Quinones Sanchez, Councilwoman, said, “CVS has been caught selling expired products in our City and around the country. It is outrageous that we are here today calling on a corporate citizen to remove dangerous products from the shelves.”

Expired products found at 15 CVS stores in Philadelphia ranged from infant formula, to over-the-counter medications, and dairy products. Tablets to treat allergies were over a year old and baby’s gas relief medicine was nearly two years expired.

Bill Greenlee, Councilman, stated that legal action was required to protect the community from dangerous items sold at CVS drugstores.

Consumer class action lawsuits in Philadelphia are among the most effective tools consumers have at protecting their power over the marketplace. When a large corporation does something that adversely affects a large group of people, a class action lawsuit enables all of the affected people to act with one voice.

Anapol Schwartz represents consumers, small businesses, and injured people in class action lawsuits throughout the country, seeking money damages and other relief in the federal and state court systems.

If you or someone you know been wronged or harmed due to a company’s negligence contact Anapol Schwartz. They have helped their clients for over years and they know the law and court system to get you the compensation you deserve. Please call the experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at 1-866-735-2792 for a free consultation.

Hydroxycut, the number one weight loss supplement in the world, was recalled on May 1st by the FDA. The FDA reports that there are at least 23 reports of serious liver injuries and death http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW02006.html, including jaundice and elevated liver enzymes, an indicator of potential liver injury, to liver damage requiring liver transplant. Other health problems reported include seizures; cardiovascular disorders; and rhabdomyolysis, a serious type of muscle damage that can lead to other serious health problems such as kidney failure.

If you or anyone you know have been using Hydroxycut, stop using it immediately. Symptoms to watch for include jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes), brown urine, light-colored stools, fatigue, stomach cramps or pain, weakness, nausea, and vomiting.

This Hydroxycut recall applies to the following products, which are being removed from the market:
• Hydroxycut Regular Rapid Release Caplets
• Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Rapid Release Caplets
• Hydroxycut Hardcore Liquid Caplets
• Hydroxycut Max Liquid Caplets
• Hydroxycut Regular Drink Packets
• Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Drink Packets
• Hydroxycut Hardcore Drink Packets (Ignition Stix)
• Hydroxycut Max Drink Packets
• Hydroxycut Liquid Shots
• Hydroxycut Hardcore RTDs (Ready-to-Drink)
• Hydroxycut Max Aqua Shed
• Hydroxycut 24
• Hydroxycut Carb Control
• Hydroxycut Natural

If you have any symptoms of liver injury you should see your doctor immediately. Keep any unused portions of the product for evidence in case you decide to pursue a claim for compensation.

If you have suffered any of these symptoms or injuries contact our experienced Product Defect and Personal Injury Lawyers and click here to visit our website for more information.

Genentech, Inc. made known on April 8, 2009 the phased voluntary removal of the psoriasis drug Raptiva (efalizumab) from the United States market. Raptiva is used by adults eighteen years or older with chronic moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The company’s decision was determined by the connection of Raptiva with an increased risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). This neurological disease is caused by a virus that affects the central nervous system and can be fatal.

Although Raptiva’s prescribing information was updated in October 2008 to include boxed warning on the risk of serious infections, including PML, in patients receiving Raptiva, other serious bacterial and viral infections have been known to occur. Some of the kinds of infections that can be caused by the use of Raptiva are:

• Pneumonia
• Sepsis
• Meningitis
• Encephalitis
• invasive fungal disease

Unfortunately, as we see in Raptiva, sometimes a prescription or over-the-counter drug intended to help alleviate pain and infection, or reduce pain and suffering, can sometimes cause serious injury or even death. One of the many serious aspects of the Raptiva unsafe drug recall is the fact that a patient risks increased chances of worsening his or her psoriasis condition if Raptiva use is stopped suddenly. This is why it is critical for Raptiva users to consult with their physician as soon as possible to determine an adequate alternative for treatment.

Continue reading "Raptiva Unsafe Drug Recalled" »