Lawyers are reviewing claims by patients that the dangerous drug Xeljanz injured them. If you were harmed while taking Xeljanz call our lawyers today.
What is Xeljanz?
Xeljanz and Xeljanz XR are the brand names of the drug tofacitinib. The drug is manufactured by Pfizer and is the subject of much controversy because of several fatalities and severe injuries that have been reported.
Doctors prescribe Xeljanz primarily to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Psoriatic Arthritis (PA) and Ulcerative Colitis. Xeljanz works by attacking an enzyme that contributes to inflammation, which causes severe pain for patients suffering from these diseases.
Like most medications, Xeljanz has side effects. However, the FDA has received reports of severe complications and fatalities that call into question the safety of the drug and Pfizer’s obligations to consumers and medical practitioners. Lawyers have begun reviewing lawsuits on behalf of some of the injured patients as well as families of those who have died while taking Xeljanz. These potential lawsuits could try to hold Pfizer accountable for failing to warn doctors and the public about the severe dangers associated with taking Xeljanz. Some people claim that Pfizer actively attempted to hide the risks so as not to affect drug sales adversely.
If you or someone you love suffered severe side effects from Xeljanz, contact Alonso Krangle, LLP to find out more information about Xeljanz lawsuits and whether you could be eligible to collect compensation.
Patients Taking Xeljanz Experience Side Effects
The side effects of Xeljanz can vary from minor to severe. Some of them are:
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Diarrhea
- Headaches
- High blood pressure
- Compromised immune system
- Shingles
- Fever
- Chills
- Coughing blood
- Burning upon urination
- Muscle aches
- Weight loss
- Stomach pain
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Bronchial infections
- Lymphoma
- Skin cancer
- Stomach perforation
- Intestinal perforation
- Low red blood cell counts
- Changes in white blood cell counts
This represents the list of side effects about which patients and doctors have been warned. Some are considered common. Others are considered to be “serious” side effects and are placed in a Black Box on Xeljanz’s label.
Xeljanz Does Not Warn Of Blood Clots
Pfizer did not place any warning on Xeljanz about the risk of causing blood clots in the lungs of RA patients. These blood clots, called Pulmonary Embolisms (PE), are extremely dangerous and can cause death. Another similar hazardous side effect is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), which can also cause serious trouble and death.
DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in your leg, usually in a vein deep within. Patients who develop DVT can experience:
- Severe leg pain
- Leg swelling
- Tenderness
- No symptoms at all
DVT, if discovered, can be treated with the use of surgical implants, compression stockings, or clot-busting IV drugs. The real danger of DVT is that the clot can break loose and travel to the lungs, causing a PE. A PE blocks the flow of blood to the lungs.
PE causes patients to experience:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Coughing
- Blood
- Rapid heartbeat
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Damage to the heart
Nearly one-third of patients with untreated and undiagnosed PE die. Those who are lucky enough to get treatment may find success with medication. Others must undergo removal of the blood clot with a catheter. Some may require the surgical implantation of a medical device called a vein filter.
Hundreds of Injuries and Many Fatalities Caused by Xeljanz
Between 2013 and 2018, the FDA Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS) received 42,528 reports of adverse reactions for Xeljanz and Xeljanz XR. Of these, 14,679 were serious and 983 involved deaths. Many of the patients who died, did so from DVT or PE, side effects of Xeljanz about which there was no warning.
Drug Companies Might Be Liable For Injuries Caused by Xeljanz
When drugs cause unintended adverse consequences like Xeljanz, several ways injured victims can hold the company that makes and markets the drug legally responsible.
Companies like Pfizer must warn patients of the risks and side effects of their drugs. They also have to inform medical practitioners of the same so that they may make informed decisions about prescribing medication to their patients and advise them of any risks. Drug companies must also take steps to ensure their products are designed in a way that minimizes danger.
If you were injured taking Xeljanz, you along with your attorney, should ask:
- Did Pfizer know that Xeljanz could cause deadly blood clots?
- Should Pfizer have known that Xeljanz was dangerous?
- Did Pfizer fail to warn patients of Xeljanz side effects adequately?
- Did Pfizer purposefully withhold information about the dangers of Xeljanz from doctors, patients, or the FDA?
- Could Pfizer have made Xeljanz safer so it would not cause these risks?
- Did Pfizer conduct adequate trials of Xeljanz?
Contact Alonso Krangle, LLP if Xeljanz Caused You Pain and Suffering
Having to take a drug like Xeljanz is necessary for some patients. RA and the other diseases that Xeljanz purports to treat are serious. They cause pain, discomfort, swelling, and often negatively impact the quality of life for those who have these illnesses. Deciding to take a drug like Xeljanz should an informed decision made in consultation between a doctor and his or her patient. It is imperative that the parties know about and disclose all of the risks and possible side effects associated with the medication. It is the manufacturer’s job to ensure that this information is collected and shared. Companies like Pfizer have a legal duty to warn and a legal duty to ensure their drugs are safe.
Ask yourself, “Did I have a blood clot while taking Xeljanz?” “Did the side effects I had because of Xeljanz cause serious pain and suffering?” If so, call Alonso Krangle, LLP at [phone_num] and receive a free evaluation of your Xeljanz claim. Time may be of the essence, so call our office today.