AbbVie and Biogen Recalls Zinbryta Due to Encephalitis and Meningoencephalitis Leading to Brain Damage and Deaths
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended banning the use of Zinbryta pending an investigation into why twelve people who took the medication developed severe brain inflammation. Three of the twelve people died from the severe swelling. Zinbryta is a drug prescribed to people who have multiple sclerosis. It is a potent drug that lists several potential side effects. However, additional side effects that involve brain swelling developed without warning. The EMA took immediate action.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to officially recall the multiple sclerosis drug. However, it was announced on March 14, 2018, that the FDA has stepped in to manage the withdrawal of Daclizumab (Zinbryta).
Parker Waichman LLP is Reviewing Zinbryta Brain Swelling Injury and Wrongful Death Claims Nationwide
We rely on our doctors to prescribe the proper medication for us. We take the drugs prescribed to us because we believe they will relieve our symptoms. Every time we ingest a pill, we place our well-being in the drug manufacturer’s hands. We have faith that the drug will do what we expect and not make us sicker. You or a loved one could have a claim for substantial financial damages if a drug like Zinbryta made you sick or killed a family member.
The drug defect lawyers from Parker Waichman LLP believe that drug companies who fail to warn their customers, people like you and me, about possible side effects must be held accountable for their wrongdoing. That is why the drug defect lawyers with Parker Waichman LLP aggressively pursue careless, reckless and greedy pharmaceutical companies who refuse to ensure that their products will give us the relief we expect and not kill us or make us sicker.
Zinbryta Must Be Pulled From Marketplace
The EMA released the information on March 7, 2018, regarding the link between Zinbryta and deadly brain inflammation. Doctors diagnosed the brain inflammation in the patients with encephalitis and meningoencephalitis. The initial report suggests that the brain swelling may be attributed to an immune response by the body to the medication. This investigation will open the door to the further scrutinization by the EMA as to whether Zinbryta caused violent immune reactions in other organs in addition to the brain as in these twelve cases.
The EMA quickly responded to the crisis. The EMA strongly recommended that the European Commission suspend AbbVie and Biogen’s rights to market the drug and issue an immediate recall. AbbVie and Biogen reportedly recalled the drug voluntarily.
Most of the cases reported to the EMA occurred in Germany, but at least one happened in Spain. None of the cases of brain inflammation occurred in the United States. The FDA inaction to this point might be attributable to the absence of brain inflammation reactions in the U.S. The FDA approved Zinbryta for use in the U.S. in 2016.
AbbVie and Biogen distributed Zinbryta worldwide. Approximately 8,000 people used the medicine. The patient self-administers an injection of the drug. AbbVie and Biogen produced the drug for a limited population of people with multiple sclerosis. The drug is appropriate for people who have relapsing multiple sclerosis and have tried at least two other medications to ease the symptoms of multiple sclerosis without success.
Recommendations if You or a Loved One Takes Zinbryta
The EMA recommends that Zinbryta recipients take immediate action if they experience adverse effects of Zinbryta. The EMA suggests that patients:
- Talk to your physician about continued use of Zinbryta.
- Stop using Zinbryta.
- Seek medical help immediately if you experience signs of brain inflammation “such as persistent high temperature, severe headache, nausea (feeling sick), tiredness, yellowing of the skin or eyes and vomiting.”
- Have your blood examined at 6-month intervals to rule out potential side effects.
Parker Waichman LLP recommends that you call your prescribing physician as soon as possible.
WHY CHOOSE PARKER WAICHMAN LLP FOR YOUR ZINBRYTA LAWSUIT
At Parker Waichman LLP, our legal professionals understand what you or your loved one have been through because of Zinbryta. Parker Waichman LLP wants to help you achieve the justice you or your loved one deserves. When you retain Parker Waichman LLP, you are placing your case in highly-capable and experienced hands. Parker Waichman LLP has been advocating for the victims of defective drugs for decades, earning numerous national awards and accolades along the way.
A few of our proudest recognitions include:
- A stellar 9.8 out of 10 rating by AVVO.com. Avvo.com is a service that reviews and rates every lawyer and law firm throughout the United States.
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- 5 out of a possible 5 “Dragons” by the peer review website Lawdragon.com
- Listed with the “Best Lawyers” publication.
If you or your loved one sustained brain swelling or death due to Zinbryta, contact our national law office today to find out if you might be eligible to file a Zinbryta lawsuit against the manufacturers AbbVie and Biogen.
CONTACT PARKER WAICHMAN LLP FOR YOUR FREE ZINBRYTA CONSULTATION
Our attorneys recognize how greatly your Zinbryta injuries have affected your life, and the experienced defective medication lawyers at Parker Waichman LLP are ready to help you fight for your right to compensation.
If you or a loved one used Zinbryta and experienced subsequent injury, contact our law firm today for your free Zinbryta consultation by calling 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529) or filling out our online contact form or using our Live Chat feature.
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Sources: cited within and https://www.pharmamanufacturing.com/industrynews/2018/biogen-abbvie-recall-ms-drug-after-encephalitis-cases/
