Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy from Psoriasis Medication
A common drug that is often prescribed to help individuals suffering with psoriasis has come under fire for being linked to a potentially serious viral brain disease known as progressive multifocal leukoencaphalopathy, or PML. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is a rare type of virus that attacks the central nervous system leading to a decline in neurologic function that cannot be reversed, and eventually leads to death.
The manufacturer took the drug off of the market in 2009 after a number of patients using it died from the condition of progressive multifocal leukoenephalopathy. The removal of the drug from the consumer market came after the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a number of warnings for the drug and it being linked to serious, potentially fatal infections, such as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.
If you or someone you know has developed the condition known as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) while using a particular type of medication for psoriasis, you should be aware that you have valuable legal rights, and that you may be able to file a claim to seek monetary compensation for medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering. You should not hesitate to consult with a personal injury attorney who specializes in defective drugs as soon as possible, following your diagnosis. These legal professionals are quite skilled in this area of the law and will be able to evaluate your case to determine the best possible way to proceed.
The psoriasis drug in question was first approved for use in 2003 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The medication is administered one per week, by injection, to adults who suffer with moderate to severe forms of plaque psoriasis. The drug works by suppressing the immune system in order to lower the number of flare ups of psoriasis, but because of this suppression, the body is not able to use its natural system of defense. This can increase the potential for serious malignancies and infections in the patient.
The condition of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is a form of a neurological disorder that is recognized when cells that produce myelin are destroyed. Myelin is a substance that is oily in nature and works to protect the brain's and spinal cord's nerve cells. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is caused by a particular virus known as the JC virus, or JCV. The virus is carried by as many as eighty five percent of the general public; however the virus only results in disease when the immune system is severely compromised.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, as the name suggests, is a progressive disease, which means it gets worse as time goes on. Some of the most noted symptoms of the disease include the following: changes in personality, weakness that gets worse over time, changes in speech and vision, and clumsiness.
The progression of the disease known as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy causes life threatening disabilities that frequently result in death. The best way to treat the disease is to reverse the suppression of the immune system. That being said, patients who have contracted the disease after taking a particular form of psoriasis medication, stopping the use of the medication is critical to fighting the condition.
In April of 2009, the manufacturer announced that it started to voluntarily remove the psoriasis drug in question, in phases, from the United States drug market. The manufacturer said the medication would no longer be available to consumers after June 8, 2009. Medical professionals were told not to start this type of drug therapy in patients and to start discussing alternative therapies with patients currently on the medication.
The recall on this particular psoriasis drug was announced after three patients died after contracting progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. It was also suspected that one other patient taking the medication died from the same medical condition.
The withdrawal of this psoriasis medication came after two alerts were issued by the FDA due to the association of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. The first alert was issued by the agency in October of 2008, when the drug was required to place a black box warning on the product in order to outline the risk of possible fatal infections, including the potential for developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Just weeks before the medication was taken off of the market, the FDA issued a Public Health Advisory on February 19, 2009. This was done following receipt of a number of reports of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy deaths amongst patients using the medication.
If you or someone you know has developed the medical condition known as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy after taking a particular type of medication for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, you should know that you have valuable legal rights that need to be protected. The best way to protect your interests is to consult with a personal injury attorney who specializes in the area of defective drugs. These legal professionals are highly skilled in this area of the law and will be able to evaluate your case, determine the best way to proceed, and manage every aspect from start to finish.
Drug manufacturers owe the public a particular duty of care to provide medications that are safe and effective, and have properly undergone all testing to ensure they do not cause more harm than good. When this does not happen, for any reason, it is imperative that the manufacturers be held accountable for their actions and that they pay for the harm that has been done.
Since most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, there is no need to worry about how to pay for your claim up front, or as it progresses through the court system. Most attorneys do not require any type of payment until the time your case settles. This allows you to focus your attention on more important matters, such as your personal health and recovery.
Taking action is not only important for yourself and your family, but it is also important for others. Holding drug companies accountable for harm done works to keep others from suffering the same serious consequences in the future.
The manufacturer took the drug off of the market in 2009 after a number of patients using it died from the condition of progressive multifocal leukoenephalopathy. The removal of the drug from the consumer market came after the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a number of warnings for the drug and it being linked to serious, potentially fatal infections, such as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.
If you or someone you know has developed the condition known as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) while using a particular type of medication for psoriasis, you should be aware that you have valuable legal rights, and that you may be able to file a claim to seek monetary compensation for medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering. You should not hesitate to consult with a personal injury attorney who specializes in defective drugs as soon as possible, following your diagnosis. These legal professionals are quite skilled in this area of the law and will be able to evaluate your case to determine the best possible way to proceed.
The psoriasis drug in question was first approved for use in 2003 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The medication is administered one per week, by injection, to adults who suffer with moderate to severe forms of plaque psoriasis. The drug works by suppressing the immune system in order to lower the number of flare ups of psoriasis, but because of this suppression, the body is not able to use its natural system of defense. This can increase the potential for serious malignancies and infections in the patient.
The condition of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is a form of a neurological disorder that is recognized when cells that produce myelin are destroyed. Myelin is a substance that is oily in nature and works to protect the brain's and spinal cord's nerve cells. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is caused by a particular virus known as the JC virus, or JCV. The virus is carried by as many as eighty five percent of the general public; however the virus only results in disease when the immune system is severely compromised.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, as the name suggests, is a progressive disease, which means it gets worse as time goes on. Some of the most noted symptoms of the disease include the following: changes in personality, weakness that gets worse over time, changes in speech and vision, and clumsiness.
The progression of the disease known as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy causes life threatening disabilities that frequently result in death. The best way to treat the disease is to reverse the suppression of the immune system. That being said, patients who have contracted the disease after taking a particular form of psoriasis medication, stopping the use of the medication is critical to fighting the condition.
In April of 2009, the manufacturer announced that it started to voluntarily remove the psoriasis drug in question, in phases, from the United States drug market. The manufacturer said the medication would no longer be available to consumers after June 8, 2009. Medical professionals were told not to start this type of drug therapy in patients and to start discussing alternative therapies with patients currently on the medication.
The recall on this particular psoriasis drug was announced after three patients died after contracting progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. It was also suspected that one other patient taking the medication died from the same medical condition.
The withdrawal of this psoriasis medication came after two alerts were issued by the FDA due to the association of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. The first alert was issued by the agency in October of 2008, when the drug was required to place a black box warning on the product in order to outline the risk of possible fatal infections, including the potential for developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Just weeks before the medication was taken off of the market, the FDA issued a Public Health Advisory on February 19, 2009. This was done following receipt of a number of reports of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy deaths amongst patients using the medication.
If you or someone you know has developed the medical condition known as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy after taking a particular type of medication for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, you should know that you have valuable legal rights that need to be protected. The best way to protect your interests is to consult with a personal injury attorney who specializes in the area of defective drugs. These legal professionals are highly skilled in this area of the law and will be able to evaluate your case, determine the best way to proceed, and manage every aspect from start to finish.
Drug manufacturers owe the public a particular duty of care to provide medications that are safe and effective, and have properly undergone all testing to ensure they do not cause more harm than good. When this does not happen, for any reason, it is imperative that the manufacturers be held accountable for their actions and that they pay for the harm that has been done.
Since most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, there is no need to worry about how to pay for your claim up front, or as it progresses through the court system. Most attorneys do not require any type of payment until the time your case settles. This allows you to focus your attention on more important matters, such as your personal health and recovery.
Taking action is not only important for yourself and your family, but it is also important for others. Holding drug companies accountable for harm done works to keep others from suffering the same serious consequences in the future.
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