Raptiva Recall Lawsuits: PML Brain Infections

Austin Kirk

By Austin Kirk
Posted April 8, 2009

ADD YOUR COMMENTS 1

For the past few months, the Raptiva attorneys at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. have been evaluating the potential for lawsuits on behalf of individuals who have developed a rare brain infection, known as PML or progressive multifocal leukoencehalopathy. This week, Genentech finally decided to issue a Raptiva recall, acknowledging that the potential risk of developing PML brain infection side effects outweighs any benefits provided by the drug.

>>FDA LINK: Raptiva Recall

At least four cases of Raptiva PML brain infections have been confirmed by health officials among users of the once-weekly psoriasis injection. However, the true number of people who have experienced this side effect is likely between 10 and 100 times the number of confirmed cases.

In October 2008, the FDA updated the warning label to warn about the risk of potentially life-threatening Raptiva infection side effects, including bacterial sepsis, viral meningitis, invasive fungal disease, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and other opportunistic infections.

On February 19, 2009, a public health advisory was issued about the risk of Raptiva causing PML infection side effects, after four users of the drug were diagnosed with the brain disease. Three of those patients have died.

Although a Raptiva recall was issued in Canada and Europe in February, Genentech continued to sell the drug in the United States until this week, when the drug maker agreed to remove it from the market by June 2009.

Raptiva PML brain infections are extremely rare, but it attacks the central nervous system and usually results in death. Those with weakened immune systems are most susceptible to the disease, and there is no known cure or treatment. Symptoms of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy could include:

  • Weakness
  • Paralysis
  • Vision Loss
  • Impaired Speech
  • Cognitive Deterioration
  • Death

RAPTIVA PML LAWYERS

Our attorneys are evaluating potential Raptiva recall lawsuits throughout the United States for individuals who have suffered PML brain infection side effects. There are no fees or expenses unless a recovery is obtained.

To review a case with a Raptiva PML lawyer, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

1 Comment • Add Your Comments

  • Ken says:

    My wife has PML ( Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy, ) from the medication RITUXAN and she almost died . Thanks to the GREAT Doctors at NIH CLINIC in Bethesda Maryland. , which she was a part of the PML STUDY , she has survived, but my wife has sever brain damage and has not spoken to me for 2 years . GENNATECH made 11 million dollars last year on just RITUXAN and many people have died because the FDA won’t stop them fro make this deadly medication. PLEASE don’t let this happen to you . Are family has been devastated by this terrible disease.

    Posted on June 3, 2018 at 2:41 pm

Add Your Comments

  • Have Your Comments Reviewed by a Lawyer

    Provide contact information below and additional private comments if you want an attorney to contact you to review a potential case.

    The information below will not be published to this page.

  • NOTE: Providing information for review by an attorney does not form an attorney-client relationship.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.