Liver Failure, Heart Attack, Stroke, Heart Failure

MULTAQ LIVER FAILURE AND LIVER DAMAGE RISK

The FDA has received a number of reports of heptocellular liver injury and liver failure from Multaq users, including several cases that resulted in the need for a liver transplant.

The Multaq liver problems can occur after only a few months of using the drug, and may leave users with serious and potentially life-threatening health complications.

In January 2011, the FDA required new warnings about the potential risk of Multaq liver failure or liver injury be added to Warnings and Precautions and Adverse Reactions sections of the drug’s label. The FDA is continuing to review adverse events involving Multaq liver side effects and patients are now being warned to immediately contact their doctor if they develop signs of a liver injury while taking Multaq, which could include:

• Nausea and Vomiting
• Yellowing of the Skin or Jaundice
• Dark Urine
• Fever, Malaise and Fatigue

In April 2011, the prominent consumer advocacy group Public Citizen placed Multaq on their “DO NOT USE” list, urging the public to avoid the medication if they can and talk to their doctor about getting off of it as quickly as possible if they are already using Multaq.

MULTAQ HEART SIDE EFFECTS

Although Multaq (drnedarone) is approved for treatment of patients who have had abnormal heart rhythms, research suggests that the medication may actually increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure and death.

In July 2011, Sanofi-Aventis suddenly dstopped a clinical trial designed to test the effects of Multaq on patients with permanent atrial fibrillation. More than 3,000 patients enrolled in the study were told to immediately stop taking the medication, because it was determined that the Multaq dangers for the heart made it unethical to continue the study.

The complete results of the Multaq study, known as PALLAS, were published by the New England Journal of Medicine in November 2011, indicating that cardiovascular side effects of Multaq may cause a two-fold increase in the risk of heart attacks, strokes and death. Researchers concluded that Multaq may increase the rates of heart failure, stroke and death from cardiovascular causes among patients with permanent atrial fibrillation, leading to the recommendation that the medication not be used among such patients.

Some consumer advocates have speculated whether a Multaq recall may be issued due to the risk of heart problems and liver problems, suggesting that the dangers of the drug may outweigh the benefits.

MULTAQ INJURY ATTORNEYS

The Multaq attorneys at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are no longer reviewing potential lawsuits. Cases were previously evaluated for individuals diagnosed with:

• Liver Failure
• Liver Damage
• Heart Failure
• Heart Attack
• Stroke

New cases are no longer being accepted. This page is maintained for informational purposes only.