Celebrex Lawsuit
A Brief Guide to Celebrex Lawsuits:
Celebrex: Drug Description
Celebrix is the brand name for Celecoxib—a drug used to reliev pain, swelling, tenderness and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis (arthritis caused by a destruction of the lining of the joints), ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis that affects the spine) and rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis caused by swelling of the lining of the joints). Moreover, Celebrex is used to treat painful menstrual
periods and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (a form of arthritis that specifically affects children).
Celebrex belongs to a class of medications called COX-2 inhibitors—it is effective by halting the body’s production of chemicals that cause inflammation and pain.
Celebrex oral capsules contain either 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg or 400 mg of celecoxib with inactive ingredients including: edible inks, gelatin, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate and povidone.
Celebrex FDA Warnings:
The United States Food and Drug Administration issued supplemental request letters to sponsors of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs requesting that they institute labeling changes to their drugs. These requests include proposed labeling for both over-the-counter and prescription medications. All sponsors of marketed prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should revise their packaging insert to include a boxed warning to highlight the potential for increased risk of cardiovascular events and the potentially life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding associated with use.
Famous Celebrex Lawsuits:
In recent years, increasing concerns have been raised about potentially fatal Celebrex side effects, including the risk of heart attack and stroke. At this time, most people will no longer be able to pursue a Celebrex settlement--litigation has largely ended, although a class action Celebrex lawsuit on behalf of investors may still proceed in the future.
In 2004, a study was published noting that Celebrex side effects seemed to indicate a greater risk of heart attack and stroke. As a result, in 2005 the FDA ordered that warning information issued with the drug is updated to include these risks. This change prompted many people to file a Celebrex lawsuit. It is not known exactly how much manufacturer Pfizer paid in total for every Celebrex settlement that was reached.
However, it is known that no case involving Celebrex side effects made it to trial on an individual basis--a class action Celebrex lawsuit regarding the drug reached a resolution in 2009. This litigation resulted in an $89 Celebrex settlement as part of a larger lawsuit that also concerned the similar medication Bextra. Technically, this legal action was not concerned with Celebrex side effects. Instead, Pfizer was sued for illegal marketing practices, deceptive promotion and taking economic advantage of consumers with its high-priced medication.
In 2012, a Celebrex lawsuit between Pfizer and Brigham Young University, which helped develop the drug, reached settlement. This litigation was filed because the university claimed that its research was crucial to development of the drug but that the school had been unfairly compensated for its work. The Celebrex settlement was reported to be in the neighborhood of $450 million.
A separate class action Celebrex lawsuit concerning investors has been approved by a judge. As of 2012, this case for a Celebrex settlement has not yet proceeded to trial. The claims made in this Celebrex lawsuit accuse Pfizer of concealing information concerning the risks of heart attack and stroke. Because this caused harm to investors when this information was made public, a Celebrex settlement is being sought on behalf of investors hurt after the stock value declined.
Pfizer is sponsoring a long-term trial regarding Celebrex side effects which will reach conclusion in 2014. The results of this study may provide grounds for more people to file a Celebrex lawsuit. This is likely to be the case if the study discovers that Celebrex side effects include a greater risk of heart attack, stroke or other ailments that are not sufficiently warned against in the current prescription information.At this time, however, anyone seeking a Celebrex settlement would have difficulty proving that they were not sufficiently warned about consumption of the drug after the 2005 update.
Following its introduction to the market, Celebrex was the source of extensive litigation. While the most common form of Celebrex lawsuit took the form of class action litigation, future consumers are unlikely to sue the manufacturer. Most Celebrex lawsuits were filed because of insufficient manufacturer warnings concerning the drug's dangerous and potentially fatal side effects. The information has now incorporated all FDA warnings in an effort to prevent future Celebrex lawsuits.
In order to help patients make an informed decision about embarking on a course of treatment, physicians should elucidate the potential Celebrex side effects. Illumination concerning said effects will help guard doctors protect themselves against a Celebrex lawsuit alleging negligence. In the past, Celebrex lawsuits on behalf of consumers targeted the manufacturer for failing to clearly emphasize the fact that treatment with the drug leads to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Additionally, 33 states were involved in a Celebrex lawsuit which targeted the manufacturer over deceptive marketing practices.
Celebrex Side Effects:
The claims advanced in these Celebrex lawsuits were resolved with settlements. Physicians who wish to avoid being the target of a Celebrex lawsuit should outline the adverse reactions which call for immediate medical attention. Patients who notice difficulty breathing or skin reactions such as a rash may be allergic to the medication—both of these Celebrex side effects require immediate medical attention. Celebrex lawsuits concerning negligence cannot be filed against physicians who have not been informed of these side effects and given the chance to help patients.
The presence of Celebrex side effects, regardless of intensity or duration, requires medical intervention. Seek emergency help if any of these signs of an allergic reaction occur: difficulty breathing; hives; swelling of your lips, tongue, throat or face.
Discontinue use and seek immediate medical attention if you face any of the following side effects:
• Bloody, black or tarry stools
• Swelling or rapid weight gain
• Coughing up blood or vomit that resembles coffee grinds
• Chest pains, shortness of breath, slurred speech, problems with balance or speech and weakness
It is important to take the drug exactly as prescribed and not to exceed your dosage in an attempt to alleviate pain. Any adverse effects resulting from misuse or overdose cannot be justification for a Celebrex lawsuit. Since the consequences of disregarding official instructions are your sole responsibility, Celebrex lawsuits cannot be filed against the manufacturer or your physician.
If you receive tainted or improperly manufactured medication from a pharmacy, you may have grounds for a Celebrex lawsuit. It is important to maintain copies of all receipts documenting purchase. Evidence of purchase is required to establish a clear link between adverse effects and consumption of the drug.
Should you wish to file a Celebrex lawsuit against a physician who you feel has been negligent in monitoring your response to the drug, consult with a lawyer who is experienced in malpractice litigation. In the event that you experience adverse reactions not warned against in the prescription information, tell your doctor or report directly to the FDA. Though this is unlikely to occur, such events could possibly be grounds for Celebrex lawsuits. You will need to consult with an attorney experienced in lawsuits of this type to establish whether your case has a high probability of resulting in financial compensation.
Sources:
1. United States National Library of Medicine "Celecoxib" retrieved from:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001050/
2. http://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/postmarketdrugsafetyinformationforpatientsandproviders/ucm103420.htm
3. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm124655.html
