Pepcid Lawsuit

A Brief Guide to Filing a Pepcid Lawsuit:

What is Pepcid?

Pepcid—the brand name of Famotidine—is used to treat ulcers (sores located on the lining of the small intestine or stomach); GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease, a condition where a backward flow of acid from the stomach yields heartburn and damage to the esophagus; and acid reflux disease. Pepcid is available in both prescription and over-the-counter form—the OTC version is used to treat and prevent heartburn due to sour stomach and indigestion. Pepcid belongs to a class of medications called H2 Blockers. The drug is effective by decreasing the amount of acid in the stomach.

Pepcid Side Effects:

Pepcid side effects may occur regardless of dosage strengths or adherence to intake instructions. Please inform your doctor if you experience any of the following Pepcid side effects:

• Common Pepcid Side Effects Include: diarrhea; fussiness (mostly experienced by babies); constipation; dizziness; and headache.

Some Pepcid side effects are classified as serious. The following Pepcid side effects are rare and require immediate medical attention if experienced:

• Serious Pepcid Side Effects Include: skin rash; hives; hoarseness; difficulty swallowing or breathing; swelling of the throat, face, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet or lower legs; and itching.

Other Pepcid side effects may present themselves. Please contact your doctor if you notice any unusual reactions or symptoms while taking the drug. If you experience particularly bothersome Paxil side effects, you or doctor may file a report with the United States Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch or via phone at 1-800-332-1088.

Pepcid side effects are regarded as marginal when compared to other prescription medications. These relatively weak side effects are reflected in the drug’s over-the-counter status—even large dosages of Pepcid may be procured without prescription.

Once a prescription medication, Pepcid is now available in many forms as an over-the-counter medication; the drug is universally considered safe for the treatment of heartburn. This alteration was affirmed in 1995 when the FDA concluded that there were no serious potential Pepcid side effects. That being said a Pepcid dosage greater than 20 mg still requires a prescription. The only precaution announced by the FDA concerning Pepcid side effects, was a report that found prolonged QT intervals in patients with impaired renal functions.

Pepcid Lawsuits:

Because of the lack of side effects, history concerning Pepcid lawsuits is somewhat limited—the drug simply does not pose a significant threat to its users. That being said, a few prominent Pepcid lawsuits have been filed concerning fraudulent selling.

The most notable Pepcid lawsuit was filed in a New Orleans court in 1999. This Pepcid lawsuit was filed by a doctor who alleged that manufacturer Merck was fraudulent in selling vast quantities of Pepcid to hospitals at a discounted price, while still charging Medicaid participants full freight. The Pepcid lawsuit was not settled until 2008.

As part of the Pepcid lawsuit, the doctor produced documentation of severe Pepcid side effects in elderly patients. His Pepcid lawsuit alleged that the drug was substituted without his knowledge to elderly patients--use of Pepcid among the elderly increases the risk of Kidney damage.

However, aside from this notable Pepcid lawsuit, the medication has not been the target of much litigation. As an over the counter medication, the primary Pepcid side effects concern allergic reactions; patients aware of acid reducer allergies should not take Pepcid. Those individuals susceptible to skin swells, rashes or respiratory problems should seek immediate treatment for these Pepcid side effects.

Treatment with any Pepcid dosage should not exceed 14 days. Patients who continue experiencing heartburn or similar conditions past three months should seek medical advice to determine the underlying causes of their symptoms. Exceeding the recommended ingestion of more than two pills containing a Pepcid dosage within 24 hours carries the risk of overdose.

In several instances, batches of Pepcid have been recalled due to manufacturing defects—no significant Pepcid lawsuits resulted from faulty manufacturing.

Because side effects are relatively mild, precedents concerning Pepcid lawsuits are nonexistent. That being said, if you sustain an injury or develop a medical condition because of use, you have the right to contact a legal professional to discuss the potential for a Pepcid lawsuit.

Sources:

1. United States National Library of Medicine “Famotidine” retrieved from:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000872/

2. http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm173879.html

3. http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm172569.html

4. http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/ucm207452.html