Bextra

Bextra is another of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) that went into class action lawsuit. Prescribed for the treatment of acute menstrual pain and other menstrual symptoms, this medication was also used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Pfizer announced the withdrawal of this drug from the market on April 2005.

Victims of Bextra developed heart attacks, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems, causing serious claims. These cases are being litigated, making Pfizer responsible for gross negligence marketing the product without further research on side effects. Those who have been injured, claim financial compensation for damages to their health, caused by this defective drug.

Cardiovascular risks associated with Bextra was first acknowledged in October 2004, when the American Heart Association soon presented a report indicating that patients prescribed with Bextra were up to 2.19 times more likely to suffer heart attack or stroke in comparison with people who were receiving placebos.

After the removal of the drug from the market, personal injury claims have arisen nationwide, and while class action lawsuits are litigated seeking compensation, it is expected that more complaints will emerge through time. Bextra also caused serious skin reactions in both short and long term use, whether in patients with or without a history of sulfa allergy.

Some victims of Bextra have developed toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and other skin diseases, often complicated with cardiovascular events. This drug was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2001, and after its recall in 2004, Pfizer announced that plans to study the long term cardiovascular effects of Bextra would be implemented.

As of November 2004, there were a total of 87 cases of severe skin reactions associated with Bextra, only in the United States. The FDA reported that 20 of those cases involved people allergic to sulfa, and 36 out of the 87 patient were hospitalized, resulting in 4 deaths. The FDA urges patients and health care providers to report adverse event information after using Bextra.

Pfizer conducted another study including 1,500 patients, that showed an increased in cardiovascular risk in patients treated with Bextra in comparison to those prescribed with placebo. After the drug was pulled off the market, lawsuits are paying particular attention to the dosage and frequency with which Bextra was prescribed to evaluate the claims.

Even when some lawyer firms consider that class action lawsuits are not the best way to handle injuries or even death, there are many lawyers filing the claims of those patients who suffered a heart attack or stroke resulting from using Bextra, as well as people with skin disease or severe skin reactions.

As side effects, Bextra contributed to aggravate aneurysm, hypertension, arrhythmia, angina pectoris, cardiomyopathy, heart murmur, hypotension, coronary artery disorder, and congestive heart failure. The drug was also associated to central, peripheral nervous system complications such as migraine, neuralgia, neuropathy, vertigo, paresthesia, tremor, and cerebrovascular disorder.

If you are victim of Bextra, visit an attorney who is experienced with recall lawsuits, because you have certain legal rights for the potential harm caused by this and other defective drugs.