Raptiva - Viral Meningitis Attorney

Psoriasis is a painful skin condition that's triggered at the cell level. Millions of people around the world suffer from it, and while it's not fatal in nature, it creates a situation of daily suffering for those who are stricken with it. As a result, drug companies have been busy formulating and ultimately releasing new medications onto the marketplace to help treat the disease.

One of those drugs is known as Raptiva, and below you'll find information regarding how it works, the problems it encountered in terms of the side effects to which it has been linked, the government's reaction and how you should proceed if you or someone you love has been harmed as a result of using Raptiva.

Raptiva Overview

Raptiva was originally approved for marketing, sale and distribution in the United States by the FDA in 2003, and the drug is manufactured by Genentech, Inc. The drug sold well, and was initially widely recommended by health professionals and even psoriasis support groups that saw a high degree of potential with Raptiva.

In fact, the National Psoriasis Foundation published the following description of Raptiva in terms of how it works inside the patient's body:

Raptiva works by "blocking the activation of certain immune cells called T cells, and the migration of those cells into the skin. T cells are a type of white blood cell in the body; in psoriasis, once these T cells are mistakenly activated, they can trigger inflammation and other immune responses and fuel the development of psoriasis lesions.

By blocking T-cell activation and the movement of these cells into the skin, Raptiva interrupts the cycle of psoriasis, leading to improvement in symptoms for many people who take it."

The most common and most severe byproduct of psoriasis is chronic pain as the skin continues to deteriorate and thicken. Therefore, Raptiva was seen as an extremely positive development for many who used it.

Raptiva Side Effects - Viral Meningitis

Unfortunately, reports of side effects in patients who were using Raptiva began to surface within a few years of being on the market. Below is a look at the most common side effects as reported by patients and doctors around the country.
  1. Viral meningitis - Viral meningitis is, as it's called, a virus. This virus attacks and infects the fluid that surrounds and is supposed to protect the brain. The symptoms of viral meningitis include:
    • Fatigue
    • Stiff neck
    • Headache
    • Fever
  2. Invasive fungal disease - Invasive fungal disease is actually a general description of several different types of fungi that can invade the body and attack it in several different locations.
  3. Bacterial sepsis - This condition occurs when bacteria invades a patient's bloodstream and ultimately damages internal organs such as the heart, liver or kidneys. While it is treatable, bacterial sepsis can also be fatal.
  4. Encephalopathy - This is a condition that also attacks the brain, and it's somewhat of a mystery in medical terms because the symptoms displayed are a result of the different parts of the brain that are affected.
  5. Lymphoma - Lymphoma is cancer that attacks the lymph nodes. It is treatable as well, but like any other cancer, it can be fatal. Symptoms of lymphoma include night sweats, unexplained weight loss, pain and swelling of the neck and itchiness.
  6. Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) - PML is considered not only the most common, but also the most severe side effect associated with Raptiva. It is an otherwise rare disease that attacks the central nervous system in those with suppressed immune systems. Symptoms of PML include:
    • Progressive weakness
    • Visual problems
    • Speech difficulties
    • Clumsiness
Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to list a complete and definitive set of symptoms for PML, as the disease attacks different parts of the brain. Therefore, different symptoms can be displayed depending on the location of the brain that's being affected by PML.

The FDA and Raptiva

Given the severity of and danger involved with the side effects associated with Raptiva, people were at risk of death. Tragically, three people had been reported as fatalities in conjunction with their use of Raptiva, and this prompted the FDA to get involved. The agency required the manufacturer to place a 'Black Box Warning' on all labels of Raptiva that specifically detail the risks involved.

Raptiva Lawsuit, Attorneys and Lawyers - Take Action

If you or someone you love has been harmed as a result of taking Raptiva, you need to contact the defective drugs attorneys at Phillips Webster today to schedule a free initial consultation.
 



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