Personal Injury Law

From the Courtroom Podcast - Dangers of Raptiva

By Brian F. LaBovick, Esq.

In today's Edition of From the Courtroom, Managing Partner, Brian F. LaBovick, Esq. discusses the dangers of the Psoriasis drug Raptiva.

The drug maker, Genentech recently announced that is was suspending sales of the psoriasis drug RAPTIVA in the U.S. due to its links to brain infections. It has been associated with an increased risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).

Raptiva was approved for distribution by the FDA in 2003. Its intended use was to help those who suffered from psoriasis manage the disease more comfortably. For a time, Raptiva proved to be successful, but recent reports have shown that several serious and sometimes grave side effects followed its use.

Raptiva's Side Effects
After a few years on the market, disturbing reports of side effects believed to have been brought about by Raptiva began to surface. Each of these problems reported are extremely serious.

• Bacterial Sepsis
• Brain Infection - Encephalopathy
• Lymphoma
• Viral Meningitis 
• Invasive Fungal Disease
• PML (Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy)

Several of the side effects allegedly linked to Raptiva may lead to a patient dying because of the drug. There have been three deaths attributed to the use of Raptiva, which  prompted the FDA to get involved. In all three deaths, they suffered from PML. The FDA required Genentech, Inc. to label of of the medication with a  'Black Box' warning, that clearly indicates the dangers associated with Raptiva.

If you or a loved one have been taking Raptiva, consult your Doctor regarding the possible side effects.

injurylaw.labovick.com/uploads/file/From the Courtroom_Raptiva_BFL(1).mp3

Full post as published by LaBovick Injury Law Blog on April 16, 2009 (boomark / email).