Adverse Drug Reaction May Occur With A Variety Of Drugs
Bextra, Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS), and heart disease are forever linked through recent litigation and settlements involving pharmaceutical giant Pfizer. The major medications available for pain relief on the United States market have been Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). These worked, but often involved the unpleasant and sometimes debilitating side effect of stomach pain. The enzyme ‘cox-1’ is known to protect the lining of the stomach; however, anti-inflammatories disable this enzyme, as well as the ‘cox-2’ enzyme. When Bextra, a medicine which only inhibited the ‘cox-2’ enzyme and left the stomach unharmed, was developed, it was welcomed by patients as a useful alternative for treating their osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. However, it became clear that one of the side effects that could occur, SJS, which can result in death, is an intolerable condition compared to stomach pain. From both short and long-term use of the cox-2 inhibitor, SJS is a possible result. This is a painful reaction to a medication caused by its abnormal metabolism in some people. The symptoms emerge with initial inflammation that results in lesions or blisters. Because of the nature of the medicine metabolism, the immune system produces chemicals that bind to keratinocytes between the epidermis (the outer layer of the integumentary system) and the dermis (its deeper, more essential layer) and the body may fail to heal these eruptions as it normally would. The result is a kind of exfoliative dermatitis where the skin is generally less intact in an affected area and leave one vulnerable to the immediate risks of the environment which are normally insulated. When the affected area reaches 30% of the body’s surface, clinical diagnosis is changed to toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). SJS is the name for the disease when the involved area covers less than 30%. The differing names represent a merging of previous usage before the disease was understood. Because of the medications involved, SJS has received much more attention, and thus doctors are better trained to recognize it and react quickly enough to stop medications and direct patients to the intensive care of a burn unit. Since Pfizer introduced the painkiller to the market in 2001, it has become clear that it involves these significant health risks and it is alleged that the manufacturer knew of them, yet failed to disclose such risk to the public. Among the serious diseases linked, none were effectively disclosed in the warnings. Pfizer has settled most of the cases brought by those suffering from this potentially fatal adverse effect. In 2008, they also set aside $894 million in order to settle lawsuits related to the link to cardiovascular disease. Celebrex, a similar product, has remained on the market. These reactions have been shown to take effect after long-term usage. The FDA advises those who may be currently taking a cox-2 inhibitor for pain to consult with a doctor about the risks involved. Additionally, it is important to pay attention to any adverse symptoms in order to act quickly and seek medical attention if necessary. For life-threatening conditions such as these, the success of treatment can be affected by reaction time, since the body’s susceptibility to complications increases over time. After consulting with a doctor about possible medication allergies, legal action may help recover compensate the victim, or their loved ones if the reaction resulted in death. Potential negligence from a company such as Pfizer or another large manufacturer could mean that you are entitled to compensation for medical costs, lost wages, general pain and suffering, or in the most tragic circumstances, wrongful death. Consult with an attorney to learn more about your potential legal rights.
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