Commonly Used Anti-Nausea Drug Zofran Can Cause Serious Side Effects
Zofran is a commonly prescribed drug used to combat nausea. Doctors usually prescribe Zofran for patients who are being administered pain medications, as well as patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer. Zofran has also been studied to determine whether it may be useful in treating psychiatric and psychological disorders.
Headaches, dizziness, and constipation are common side effects of Zofran, and a potentially fatal form of arrhythmia, known as torsades de pointes, has also been associated with the drug. Zofran may also impair cognitive function and reaction time. The FDA has cautioned that Zofran may cause increased risk of cardiac problems and has recommended that patients at risk of imbalanced electrolytes be monitored by ECG.
Off-label Use of Zofran for Morning Sickness Linked to Birth Defects
The aggressive, off-label promotion of Zofran as a treatment for morning sickness raises significant concerns. Although the FDA has not issued a recall of Zofran due to birth defects, a January 2012 study by the Center for Birth Defects and Prevention suggests a link between Zofran use in the first trimester of pregnancy and children born with cleft palate. Another study uncovered a possible link between Zofran and birth defects affecting the heart. Although these potential risks are still being studied, there is currently little consensus among medical professionals as to the degree of risk.
Zofran Manufacturer’s Troubled Legal History
Zofran is produced by Glaxo-Smith-Kline (GSK), the sixth largest pharmaceutical company in the world. Glaxo-Smith-Kline has been implicated in numerous incidents of legal wrongdoing and found guilty in both criminal and civil cases. In the past 10 years alone, the company’s diabetes drug, Avandia, and anti-depressants Paxil and Wellbutrin have been the subjects of litigation. GSK pleaded guilty to criminal charges for marketing Paxil and Wellbutrin for “unapproved uses”, and failure to report safety concerns with regard to Avandia. Other charges, including offering incentives to doctors to prescribe the company’s products and defrauding the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, resulted in GSK receiving the largest judgment against a pharmaceutical company to date.
If You Have Concerns about Your Experience with Zofran, Reach Out to an Attorney Immediately
Lawsuits involving Zofran are only recently being filed, and investigation and discovery are actively ongoing. Though the process of determining exactly what has occurred is time-consuming, the clock on the statute of limitations continues to run, which means that there is no time to waste in approaching an attorney if you have a concern. To wait beyond the statute of limitations is to risk losing the window of time in which you have to file your lawsuit, so it’s imperative to consult with an attorney immediately to ensure that any compensation due from GSK is not lost to timing.
Get Help From a Bronx Zofran Lawsuit Attorney Today
To arrange a free evaluation of your case and explore your legal options, call (800) 762-9300 or fill out our convenient online form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
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