Plavix Lawyers
The well known cardiovascular Drug Plavix has been linked to serious, life-threatening side effects including heart attack, stroke, internal bleeding, hemorrhages, ulcers, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, and even death. These adverse side effects were identified in a recent study by the New England Journal of Medicine.
Plavix Lawsuit Side Effects
Plavix has also been linked to significantly increased risk of bleeding when combined with aspirin. A study conducted by The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) revealed that when Plavix is combined with aspirin, 6.5 percent of participants in the study experienced increased bleeding. When aspirin was taken alone, only 3.3 percent of participants experienced a bleeding event.
The study also found that death increased when both drugs were taken, as opposed to when a participant took only aspirin. Of those participants taking the both drugs the death rate was 5.8 percent, whereas those participants taking aspirin alone had only a 4.1 percent death rate. These statistics lead the NINDS to halt their study involving Plavix and aspirin.
Plavix Lawsuit
Clopidogrel bisulfate, branded under the name Plavix, is manufactured and distributed by Sanofi-Aventis and/or Bristol-Myers Squibb. It is the sixth highest selling drug in the U.S. totaling $3.8 billion. Doctors commonly prescribe Plavix in conjunction with aspirin to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
The New England Journal of Medicine found that while the combination of Plavix and aspirin is supposed to reduce the risk of a second heart attack, it in fact it doubles the risk death, heart attack, or stroke in individuals with no history of heart disease. Researchers also found it increased the risk of moderate and severe bleeding.
An additional study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) found that patients being treated with both aspirin and Plavix versus the Wafarin only treatment were 50 percent less likely to be admitted a hospital emergency room.
Plavix Lawsuits
A class action lawsuit is currently being filed claiming that manufacturers and distributors of Plavix “rushed the drug to market and then launched an aggressive marketing campaign touting Plavix as providing greater cardiovascular benefits than aspirin, while being safer and easier on a person’s stomach.”
The lawsuit also claims that the company knew that the assertions were false and that the drug could cause serious health complications, but continued to market it, even after being warned by the FDA for their fraudulent advertising. “The company did not stop its misleading advertising, nor did it alert the public to life threatening side effects of Plavix.”
Side effects being linked to Plavix include:
- Abdominal pain
- Coughing
- Gout
- Frequent chest pains
- Irregular heartbeat
- Pneumonia
- Severe headaches or migraines
- Sinus inflammation
- And bone marrow damage.
More serious and life-threatening side effects include:
- Internal bleeding
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Cerebral Bleeding or Hemorrhage
- Thrombotic Throbocytopenic Purpura (TTP)
- Heart Attack
- Stroke
- And ulcers.
All these side effects could potentially lead to death.
Have Your Plavix Lawsuit Evaluated
If you have taken Plavix and experienced any of these side effects, contact Strom Law Firm now, 803-252-4800. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills and other damages.
