Plavix is the brand name for clopidogrel, a drug prescribed to help prevent blood clots from forming in the arteries. It has been prescribed to more than 115 million patients worldwide. Bristol-Myers Squibb-Sanofi Pharmaceuticals is the drug manufacturer that markets the drug's ability to:
-Increase blood flow to the legs;
-Prevent mini-strokes; and
-Prevent or treat heart attacks.
However, in 2010, the FDA issued an alert to patients and health care professionals of the potential of reduced effectiveness for Plavix for those unable to metabolize the drug and convert it to its active form. Patients who are poor metabolizers would not receive the full effects of the drug. Therefore, continuing the risk for cardiovascular conditions such as stroke, heart attack, and in some cases, death.
Patients may also still suffer from a series of side effects that can include:
-Dizziness;
-Vomiting;
-Seizures;
-Changes in vision; or
-Unusual bleeding or bruising.
As an example, in an emailed statement earlier this year, Hawaii Attorney General David Louie said that 38 percent to 70 percent of Pacific Islanders and 40 percent to 50 percent of East Asians may not respond as well to Plavix due a genetic predisposition that does not allow for adequate metabolizing of the drug.
Plavix was first approved in 1997, 13 years before the boxed warning was added to the labeling. Drug manufacturers are responsible for issuing clear warnings for their products when there is a chance a product may cause harm. There have been lawsuits filed based on Bristol-Myes Squibb-Sanofi Pharmaceuticals failure to disclose this pertinent information. Claims state that the company knew or should have known about the drug's lack of effectiveness in some patients.
Plavix patients should speak to their doctors with concerns or if they are experiencing side effects. If you or a family member are in need of legal counseling or advice about defective drugs in Illinois, contact an experienced Chicago medical malpractice attorney today. Call [[title]] at (312) 553-4900 for a free consultation.