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Arava
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So far, Arava anti-inflammatory drug has been prescribed to over 1.5 million people since its 1998 arrival, but has been linked to up to 22 deaths in addition to 130 cases of severe liver problems. A profitable drug for Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Arava made $225 million in worldwide sales for 2001 alone.
Arava is one of several Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs which have been linked to health problems. The following Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) may be associated with this painful and debilitating condition:
Bextra® (Valdecoxib), Daypro® (Oxaprozin), Celebrex® (Celecoxib), Vioxx® (Rofecoxib), Arava® (Leflunomide), Feldene® (Piroxicam), Clinoril® (Sulindac), Naprosyn® (Naproxen), Enbrel® (Etanercept), and Remicade® (Infliximab). Other drugs that have also been associated with S-J are sulfonamide antibiotics, quinolones, cephalosporins, aceteminophen and anticonvulsants.
Prior to Arava most rheumatoid arthritis sufferers used methotrexate for treatment relief. When Arava was approved, the FDA failed to distinguish an increased effectiveness with the drug to treat rheumatoid arthritis but wanted to allow for a more extensive choice for the patients. The approval of Arava has been controversial due to the reported dangers associated to the drug and its inability to treat rheumatoid arthritis sufferers any better than previous methods. The death rate is 33 times higher when using Arava than when using methotrexate.
In addition to the deaths and high number of liver problems linked to Arava, the life-threatening autoimmune disease Stevens-Johnson syndrome has been reported in Arava users. Other Arava side effects, like hypertension, are also reported in Arava users, and consumer advocacy group Public Citizen petitioned the FDA to remove the drug from the market on March 28, 2001. The American College of Rheumatology later published warnings to doctors and patients in August warning of the serious Arava side effects associated to the drug and urged a monthly blood test for the first six months of using Arava and continued blood tests every two or three months following that.
Some of the side-effects which have been attributed to use of Arava can be viewed here.
If you that feel you, or someone you know, have been injured by a medical or pharmaceutical product, determining your legal rights can be complicated, and it may be unclear who to bring a claim against, and to what sort of damages you are entitled. To ensure that you receive just compensation, you should consider contacting an attorney with experience handling this type of case.
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