Gout Drug Causes Rhabdomyolysis, Liver Failure, Kidney Injury, Bone Marrow Failure The gout drug Uloric has been tied to numerous harmful side effects, including rhabdomyolysis, liver failure, kidney damage, bone marrow failure, and more. These side effects can lead to serious medical complications and even death. The product liability attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP understand […]
The gout drug Uloric has been tied to numerous harmful side effects, including rhabdomyolysis, liver failure, kidney damage, bone marrow failure, and more. These side effects can lead to serious medical complications and even death.
The product liability attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP understand that you feel frightened and angry because of the Uloric injuries that you have suffered or that a family member has suffered. We felt the conduct of the drug manufacturer warranted legal repercussions, which is why we began filing lawsuits on behalf of injured families. Our clients have found peace of mind and closure in the deserved compensation they have received.
If you took Uloric for gout and developed a severe complication, including rhabdomyolysis, liver failure, kidney damage, bone marrow failure, or drug interactions, contact our firm today. One of our experienced and compassionate attorneys can quickly help you understand your legal options, starting with a free case consultation.
Uloric is a type of prescription drug called a xanthine oxidase inhibitor. It is manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals America Inc. and is also known by the generic name febuxostat. Uloric is indicated for the treatment of gout and specifically, for the treatment of hyperuricemia, which is a complication of gout.
When a person has gout, his or her body retains too much uric acid. Uric acid is a substance produced as the body breaks down purines. Purines are naturally inside the body and are also found in some foods and drinks. Uric acid is usually absorbed by the blood or excreted by the kidneys, but some people produce too much of the acid, or their bodies do not adequately dispose of normal levels of the acid.
The excessive uric acid in the body can lead to urate crystals forming around the joints. Urate crystals can feel needle-like and cause redness, inflammation, and severe pain, especially in the feet. These complications are characteristic of gout.
Uloric was approved in 2009 to treat the painful symptoms of gout by inhibiting or blocking an enzyme that contributes to uric acid production: xanthine oxidase. At the time of its approval, Uloric was the first new gout drug released on the market in 40 years.
Uloric has been linked to numerous dangerous side effects that cause extreme injuries to patients taking the drug. Parker Waichman LLP has been investigating and filing lawsuits regarding the following medical complications associated with Uloric:
Rhabdomyolysis is one of the most severe complications linked to Uloric. This is a condition in which skeletal muscle tissue rapidly breaks down, leading to damaged muscle cells being released into the bloodstream. These cells are dangerous and can cause damage to other parts of the body, particularly the kidneys. Symptoms of rhabdomyolysis can include:
If not timely diagnosed and treated, rhabdomyolysis can lead to failure of the kidneys or other organs and can ultimately cause a patient’s death.
By way of rhabdomyolysis or another process, Uloric can lead to failure of the liver. In Uloric studies, many patients’ blood tests showed elevated liver enzymes, a signal of liver injury and potentially imminent liver failure. Liver function abnormality was the most common adverse reaction leading to discontinuation of Uloric in clinical trials for the drug. Signs of liver failure include:
The liver is a vital organ for life, and liver damage that is not detected early enough can lead to severe complications, including death.
Uloric is also associated with kidney damage and kidney failure, especially in patients who develop the condition rhabdomyolysis. In Uloric clinical trials, a number of patients taking the drug developed hematuria (blood in the urine), nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), pollakiuria (extremely frequent urination), proteinuria (abnormal proteins in the urine), renal failure, renal insufficiency, urgency, or incontinence. Symptoms of acute kidney injury or kidney failure can include:
If kidney injuries are discovered early, patients can recover in time. However, kidney injuries can quickly escalate to kidney disease and kidney failure, leading to the need for dialysis and transplants. Patients can die from kidney failure.
Uloric has additionally been linked to bone marrow failure, a rare condition in which the bone marrow cannot produce enough blood cells for the body. The bone marrow is the site of red blood cell, white blood cell, and blood platelet production. All of these cells serve essential functions within the body. Bone marrow failure can result in serious diseases and life-threatening complications. Signs of bone marrow failure include:
Bone marrow failure is a hazardous condition requiring immediate attention. Patients might require transplants and extensive medical treatment. Without prompt and appropriate treatment, bone marrow failure can lead to death.
Patients who use Uloric can also experience extreme drug interactions, either because of the drug itself or because of the way Uloric interacts with other medications the patients are taking. Some of these reactions can include painful rashes and blisters, increased plasma concentrations, and severe toxicity. Uloric has particularly been associated with clinically significant interactions with the following drugs:
In 2012, a former Takeda employee filed a whistleblower lawsuit against Takeda, alleging that the corporation purposefully withheld information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and from the public about the potential health consequences of taking Uloric in combination with certain other drugs. The suit ultimately did not prevail but brought to light tremendously concerning conduct on the part of Takeda.
If you have suffered injuries from the prescription drug Uloric, you have legal rights. You do not have to accept the pain and suffering Takeda placed upon you; You can hold the manufacturer accountable by filing a product liability lawsuit. Through a lawsuit, you can pursue compensation from Takeda including:
Parker Waichman LLP’s nationally recognized lawyers will help you stand up for your rights and acquire the just results you need to move forward. Contact our Uloric lawsuit law firm today to find out more about the relief you can secure through legal action.
Parker Waichman LLP offers free consultations for Uloric injury compensation. We will review the details of your potential claims with no money down and no retainers. Because of statutes of limitations in place, time could be limited to protect your legal rights, so do not delay in hiring experienced counsel. Contact our law offices today for your free case consultation by calling 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529) or by filling out the Contact Form on our website.