The Basics of Bextra.
Bextra, the trade name of the generic drug valdecoxib, is used to relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in adults and to relieve painful menstrual cycles. However, on April 7, 2005, the FDA asked Pfizer, Inc. to withdraw Bextra (valdecoxib) from the market because the drug’s benefits did not outweigh the drug’s potential side effects. Pfizer decided to suspend marketing of Bextra, but Pfizer has not yet recalled it, disagreeing with FDA’s decision on Bextra’s benefit vs. risk analysis.
Unusual Symptoms while taking Bextra.
If you have used Bextra in the past, and you have had a heart attack, a stroke, a serious skin disorder, (or other serious unusual symptom), you should seriously consider using the “help me find a lawyer page” to find a lawyer experienced in product liability cases, especially one familiar with Bextra. The following serious side effects occurred in less than .1% of patients taking Bextra:
* Autonomic nervous system disorders: Hypertensive encephalopathy, vasospasm
* Cardiovascular: Abnormal ECG, aortic stenosis, atrial fibrillation, carotid stenosis, coronary thrombosis, heart block, heart valve disorders, mitral insufficiency, myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia, pericarditis, syncope, thrombophlbitis, unstable angina, ventricular fibrillation
* Central, peripheral nervous system: Convulsions
* Endocrine: Hyperparathyroidism
* Female reproductive: Cervical dysplasia
* Gastrointestinal: Appendicitis, colitis with bleeding, dysphagia, esophageal perforation, gastrointestinal bleeding, ileus, intestinal obstruction, peritonitits, pancreatitis
* Hemi: Lymphoma-like disorder, pancytopenia
* Liver and biliary system: Cholelithiasis
* Metabolic: Dehydration
* Musculoskeletal: Pahtological fracture, osteomyelitis
* Neoplasm: Benign brain meoplasm, bladder carcinoma, carcinoma, gastric carcinoma, prostate carcinoma, pulmonary carcinoma
* Platelets: Embolism, pulmonary embolism, thrombosis
* Psychiatric: Manic reaction, psychosis
* Renal: Acute renal failure
* Resistance mechanism disorders: Sepsis
* Respiratory; Apnea, pleural effusion, pulmonary edema, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary infarction, pulmonary hemorrhage, respiratory insufficiency
* Skin: Basal cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, erythema multiforme, exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis
* Urinary system: Pyelophritis, renal calculus
* Vision: Retinal detachment.
Considering a Bextra Lawyer?
You will most likely need to give the following additional information to the lawyer you plan on contacting.
1. When you were prescribed Bextra.
2. What was your Bextra dosage.
3. Did you quit taking Bextra before FDA asked Pfizer to recall it and why.
4. What serious side effects or unusual symptoms do you believe Bextra caused. It is very important to link serious effects to Bextra.
5. As a result of these serious side effects, were you admitted to a hospital? How long were you under the hospital’s care? Were there medical bills or other medical expenses due to any care received at the hospital?
6. As a result of these serious side effects, did you lose income, and are you now on disability?
7. The names of the doctors that helped you and the names of the hospitals you received care at.
8. General medical info, such as date of birth, current health conditions, family history of heart disease or cardiac diseases, smoking history, other medical problems, etc.
Legal Action against Bextra providers.
To prove a case against Baxtra, plaintiffs use a legal theory call Strict Liability. Strict Liability says that:
* the manufacturer or supplier of Bextra had a responsibility to make a safe product.
* the manufacturer or supplier of Bextra supplied a product even though the product was not safe, thus breaking their responsibility.
* the manufacturer or supplier’s product caused you to incur injuries, physical or mental.
Strict Liability does not apply to certain, anticipated side effects. The product must state these side effects. However, under Strict Liability theory, if a patient takes a drug and is injured due to inadequate warnings or dangerous side effects of the drug, the manufacturer or supplier is possibly at fault.
Who is at fault?
This information may be found in the personal injury info page here.
How much can I collect?
This information may also be found in the personal injury info page here.
Important: Can I still file a Bextra claim?
Most people who have suffered/or suffer from injuries related to toxic substances (Bextra in this case) did not know that the toxic substance was a health risk when they were exposed to the substance. To counter this, several states have created statutes that allow people to still file a claim for a predetermined time after the injury due to a toxic substance was detected. For more information on this topic, talk to your lawyer.
Anticipated Side Effects of Bextra,
as stated by Pfizer, the maker of Bextra. The following side effects occurred in 1.9% of patients taking Bextra. (See the PDF file here)
* Application site disorders: Cellulitis, dermatitis contact
* Cardiovascular: Aggravated hypertension, aneurysm, angina pectoris, arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disorder, heart murmur, hypotension
* Central, peripheral nervous system: Cerebrovascular disorder, hypertonia, hypoesthesia, migraine, neuralgia, neuropathy, paresthesia, tremor, twitching, vertigo
* Endocrine: Goiter
* Female reproductive: Amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, leukorrhea, mastitis, menstrual disorder, menorrhagia, menstrual bloating, vaginal hemorrhage
* Gastrointestinal: Abnormal stools, constipation, diverticulosis, dry mouth, duodenal ulcer, duodenitis, eructation, esophagitis, fecal incontinence, gastric ulcer, gastritis, gastroenteritis, gastroesophageal reflux, hematemesis, hematochezia, hemorrhoids, hemorrhoids bleeding, hiatal hernia, melena, stomatitis, stool frequency increased, tenesmus, tooth disorder, vomiting
* General: Allergy aggravated, allergic reaction, asthenia, chest pain, chills, cyst NOS, edema generalized, face edema, fatigue, fever, hot flushes, halitosis, malaise, pain, periorbital swelling, peripheral pain
* Hearing and vestibular: Ear abnormality, earache, tinnitus
* Heart rate and rhythm: Bradycardia, palpitation, tachycardia
* Hemic: Anemia
* Liver and biliary system: Hepatic function abnormal, hepatitis, ALT increased, AST increased
* Male reproductive: Impotence, prostatic disorder
* Metabolic and nutritional: Alkaline phosphatase increased, BUN increased, CPK increased, creatinine increased, diabetes mellitus, glycosuria, gout, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, hyperkalemia, hyperlipemia, hyperuricemia, hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, LDH increased, thirst increased, weight decrease, weight increase, xerophthalmia
* Musculoskeletal: Arthralgia, fracture accidental, neck stiffness, osteoporosis, synovitis, tendonitis
* Neoplasm: Breast neoplasm, lipoma, malignant ovarian cyst
* Platelets (bleeding or clotting): Ecchymosis, epistaxis, hematoma NOS, thrombocytopenia
* Psychiatric: Anorexia, anxiety, appetite increased, confusion, depression, depression aggravated, insomnia, nervousness, morbid dreaming, somnolence
* Resistance mechanism disorders: Herpes simplex, herpes zoster, infection fungal, infection soft tissue, infection viral, moniliasis, moniliasis genital, otitis media
* Respiratory: Abnormal breath sounds, bronchitis, bronchospasm, coughing, dyspnea, emphysema, laryngitis, pneumonia, pharyngitis, pleurisy, rhinitis
* Skin and appendages: Acne, alopecia, dermatitis, dermatitis fungal, eczema, photosensitivity allergic reaction, pruritus, rash erythematous, rash maculopapular, rash psoriaform, skin dry, skin hypertrophy, skin ulceration, sweating increased, urticaria
* Special senses: Taste perversion
* Urinary system: Albuminuria, cystitis, dysuria, hematuria, micturition frequency increased, pyuria, urinary incontinence, urinary tract infection
* Vascular: Claudication intermittent, hemangioma acquired, varicose vein
* Vision: Blurred vision, cataract, conjunctival hemorrhage, conjunctivitis, eye pain, keratitis, vision abnormal
* White cell and RES disorders: Eosinophilia, leukopenia, leukocytosis, lymphadenopathy, lymphangitis, lymphopenia
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