Drug Litigation

The Law Offices of Berke & Lubell, P.A handle personal injury matters including product liability cases against drug manufacturers. We aggressively represent patients who have experienced adverse side effects caused by Propulsid, Rezulin, Fen-phen and PPA.

Propulsid:

If you or your infant child have taken the drug Propulsid (cisapride) and have been subsequently diagnosed with serious heartbeat rhythm abnormalities (arrhythmia's) or other medical problems including death, then you may be eligible to file a claim against the medication's manufacturer.

Propulsid was prescribed for many adults suffering the symptoms of nighttime heartburn and for many infants suffering from colic. However, after the FDA received numerous reports linking the drug to dangerous side effects including at least 100 deaths, the manufacturer announced in March of last year that Propulsid no longer would be marketed in the United States.

Rezulin:

On March 21, 2000 the Food and Drug Administration announced that Rezulin was linked to scores of reports of liver failure and deaths and will be withdrawn promptly from the U.S. market.

The Rezulin litigation involves the anti-diabetes drug troglitazone (also know as Rezulin). The action came 29 months after the first acknowledged death of a Rezulin patient in October 1997. Rezulin, a drug that won government approval, was originally promoted as free of serious side effects but has been linked with possibly as many as 90 deaths due to liver failure. Approximately one million patients used Rezulin since its launch in March 1997.

If you have taken or are presently still taking Rezulin, speak to your doctor immediately about alternative therapies for your diabetes. It is recommended that blood tests for liver functions should be checked at the start of therapy and then at intervals thereafter.

Fen-phen:

There are potential serious health risks associated with the use of the diet drug dexfenfluramine (Redux) and fenfluramine (Pondimin) and phentermine more commonly know as fen-phen.

On July 8, 1997, the Mayo Clinic reported that heart valve dysfunction was found in 30% of the fen-phen users tested. This unacceptable risk led the FDA to withdraw dexfenfluramine (Redux) and fenfluramine (Pondimin) from the market in September 1997. Although phentermine may also cause heart valve damage, it was not recalled by the FDA and is still on the market.
Symptoms resulting from use of fen-phen include shortness of breath, chest pain, swelling of feet, fainting and/or a new heart murmur. If you or a family member suffer from any of these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately! Early detection and early treatment can positively impact the disease outcome. The health problems associated with the use of fen-phen has resulted in class actions and individual lawsuits. Because heart valve dysfunction and primary pulmonary hypertension involve significant medical expenses, you may want to contact an attorney. The lawsuits are seeking monetary damages, medical monitoring, refund of purchase costs and in some cases, punitive damages.

PPA:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is taking steps to remove phenylpropanolamine (PPA) from all drug products and has requested that all drug companies discontinue marketing products containing PPA. In addition, FDA has issued a public health advisory concerning phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride. This drug is an ingredient used in many over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription cough and cold medications as a decongestant and in OTC weight loss products. Scientists and Yale University School of Medicine recently issued a report entitled "Phenylpropanolamine & Risk of Hemorrhagic Strokes: Final Report of the Hemorrhagic Stroke Project".

http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/00/backgrd/3647b1_tab19.doc

This study reports that taking PPA increases the risk of hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain or into tissue surrounding the brain) in women. Men may also be at risk. Although the risk of hemorrhagic stroke is very low, FDA recommends that consumers not use any products that contain PPA. FDA's Nonprescription Drug Advisory Committee recently discussed this study and other information on phenylpropanolamine. The Committee determined that there is an association between PPA and herrohagic stroke and recommended that PPA not be considered safe for over-the-counter use.

If you or someone you know has experienced a stroke and had previously taken any of the medicines containing PPA, you may have a valid legal claim.

To fully explore your legal rights, you are invited to contact the Law Office of Berke & Lubell, P.A immediately. The Lawyers of Berke & Lubell, P.A. and their support staff have the expertise and resources to research, investigate and litigate all of our clients' claims successfully and produce for our clients the best possible results in the quickest possible time.