The Phosphate In the Solutions Has Been Known To Cause Phosphat Nephropathy
Many consumers who believe they have suffered injury from the product want to know how they should proceed with a Fleet Phospho-Soda lawsuit. Over the years that the popular bowel prep medication was available - both as over-the-counter and prescription strength - millions of consumers were under the impression that it was safe and effective to use, even in higher doses. Those individuals who are currently involved in these suits reported taking the medication in preparation for colonoscopies and other procedures; many reported kidney injury within hours or days, and then developed acute phosphate nephropathy, a disease that can cause renal failure and death.
Following reports of such serious complication and injury, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a consumer warning regarding the dangers of using the laxative in any of its forms. The parent company then recalled the products from its shelves and began including a black box warning on the prescription label. Legal action came on the heels of the assessment by the FDA, citing over 21 instances of renal failure related to the drug. Litigation and malpractice suits have since been filed as well, following the recall.
Many side effects have been associated with the laxative since its availability on the market, but they were generally mild and no cause for concern. These include diarrhea, gas, nausea, and stomach cramping. However, a second tier of adverse effects, while more rare, can indicate a severe reaction to the drug which include rashes, difficulty breathing, blood in the stools, swelling in the lips, tongue or face, constipation in spite of administration, and vomiting. Symptoms directly related to nephropathy are:
Muscle spasms or twitching Bloating and water retention Limited or lacking urination Malaise High blood pressure Seizures
This is a very serious condition most often connected to use of OSP - the family of drugs that this drug belongs to – and often leads to death if left untreated. The disease can strike days or weeks after initial use of the medication. It begins as crystallization within the renal tubules, which leads to renal failure. In many cases, in order to save a patient’s life, a transplant has to be performed. While the condition is relatively rare, it does have life-threatening consequences.
If you have exhibited the symptoms described above, it is essential that you seek medical attention before you consider litigation. Because the disease can quickly progress and can cause death - and requires a positive diagnosis before any legal action can be made - receiving care is of the utmost importance. Once your health situation is assessed and diagnosed, then you should consult with a lawyer.
One of the most high profile suits was filed in 2009 on behalf of Hancock, Abrams, and Hite, before the recall. These three women all suffered Fleet Phospho kidney damage after using the product as preparation before colonoscopy. The women each experienced severe side effects within days of the administering the over-the-counter medication, leading to severe kidney damage. Other cases include a woman who filed litigation in 2007 in preparation for post-cancer screening; her case sought more than $10M in compensation.
If you are thinking of beginning litigation to seek compensation, it is important that you work with a legal team seasoned in malpractice and product liability cases. Teaming up with lawyers familiar with dealing with similar situations will help you learn how to proceed, as well as the details of the recall. If you have suffered any of the serious harm described here, you have legal rights. Researching and learning about various malpractice areas with tools like LegalTube can help you get compensation.
|