Evista Lawsuit

Evista Lawsuits: What is Evista?

Evista is an oral hormone drug used to combat osteoporosis in post-menopausal women. Produced by the Eli Lilly and Company, Evista uses Raloxifene to mimic the effects of estrogen. In addition to the aforementioned use, Evista is also effective in decreasing the risk of invasive breast cancer.

Evista belongs to a class of medications known as selective estrogen receptor modulators. The drug is effective, in preventing osteoporosis, by mimicking estrogen to increase bone density; to prevent the development of breast cancer, Evista blocks the effects of estrogen on breast tissue.

Evista Side Effects:

Evista side effects may present themselves even with proper administration. Please contact your doctor, if your Evista side effects are particularly bothersome or persistent:

• Evista side effects include Leg Cramps

• Hot Flashes (common in the first 6 months of Evista application)

• Evista side effects include Swelling of the feet, hands, lower legs or ankles

• Flu-like symptoms are common Evista side effects

•Evista side effects include joint pain

•Sweating is a common Evista side effect.

• Evista side effects include Difficulty falling or staying asleep

Other Evista side effects may be more serious. If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned on the drug’s warning label, please call your medical provider or doctor immediately. If you experience severe side effects, you or your medical professional should send a report to the United States Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program by phone at (1-800-332-1088) or online at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch.

Evista Lawsuits:

Evista lawsuits primarily stem from off-label use of the drug. In October of 2002, the Cancer Prevention Coalition issued a statement stating that women taking Evista face an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. “There is ample scientific evidence that Evista poses risks of ovarian cancer,” said Samuel Epstein, MD Chairman of the Prevention Coalition.

Additionally, a study conducted by the University of Southern California, provided further evidence of the drug’s cancer risk. The study, which is used as a basis for Evista lawsuits, shows the drug to increase the growth rate of ovarian cancer cells and may increase the risk of recurrent ovarian cancer.

In light of this information, an Evista lawsuit was filed by the United States Department of Justice; this particular Evista lawsuit was initiated in light of an increasing number of women developing ovarian cancer from Evista. This Evista lawsuit required the Eli Lilly Company to pay the USDJ $36 million.

In addition to this Evista settlement, other Evista lawsuits have been filed because of the drug’s link to strokes. In May of 2006, the Eli Drug Company issued new safety warnings concerning an increased risk of death due to stroke for patients who are susceptible to cardiovascular diseases. These Evista side effects were discovered during the RUTH (Raloxifene Use for the Heart) trial. The study found—as a basis for Evista lawsuits—an increase in death from stroke for Evista compared to a placebo. The rate of stroke mortality was 1.5 per 1,000 users per year for the placebo and 2.2 per 1,000 users per year for Evista.

These studies form a basis for Evista lawsuits, because the Eli Lilly Company did not properly warn users of said risks. Ultimately, this information led to a swarm of Evista lawsuits and subsequent Evista settlements for patients who developed severe Evista side effects.

To date, even with the underreporting concerning the severity of Evista side effects, there have been only a handful of Evista lawsuits decided against Eli Lilly. Moreover, no Evista lawsuits have yielded significant rewards in class action Evista lawsuits. Although a dearth of legal action has been taken against Evista, all users should consider the Evista side effects, and if appropriate, consult with their doctor to determine if there are any foreseeable dangers in connection with use.

Every state in the U.S. institutes new laws against negligence by health care providers, employers, property owners and manufacturers. Under these personal injury statutes, if a user is injured by Evista, they have the right to file an Evista lawsuit to secure compensation to offset the costs associated with medical expenses and pain and suffering. If you feel that you have been victimized by Evista side effects, you must contact a product liability lawyer or a personal injury specialist to file an Evista lawsuit. If the legal specialist can affirm liability and link your damages to Evista side effects, the ability to secure an Evista settlement will be strong.

Sources:

1. Raloxirfene U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001022

2.“Evista Approved for Reducing Breast Cancer Risk” retrieved from:

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm048474.htm

3. http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm088593.pdf