Tysabri
Tysabri is a medication that was developed to keep the physical limitations of multiple sclerosis at bay and as a last ditch effort for those suffering from the disease who did not have improvements with other drugs. Tysabri is manufactured by Biogen Idec, Inc. and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2006 as a monotherapy (not to be combined with any other drug therapies) in the treatment of MS. It has also been used to treat Crohn's Disease.
Tysabri has been shown to increase the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy or PML, a viral infection of the brain that could lead to death. The symptoms of PML include progressive weakness usually just on one side of the body, vision problems, disorientation and confusion. These changes can come about after just a few days or weeks of using Tysabri. Because this drug has such a drastic side effect it was only prescribed to MS patients who didn't respond to any other medications of this type.
The drug is administered by IV once every four weeks and because of its risk factor is only available through the TOUCH Prescribing program. The FDA started this medication out with one of its most serious warnings, the black box label, warning users of the risk of PML.
Based on information coming in about the side effects of Tysabri the FDA added an additional warning in February 2008. The drug was shown to increase your chances of experiencing liver damage after only one dose. Signs of liver problems include jaundice of the skin and eyes, dark urine, nausea, feelings of being tired and weak, and vomiting. If you are experiencing any of these signs your doctor can do a blood test to see if it is liver damage.
Tysabri was pulled from the market in 2005 because of the increased reports of PML. The company made changes to Tysabri and re-introduced it back onto the market in 2006. As of June 2009 Biogen confirmed the 10th case of PML by a patients who used their drug Tysabri.
If you, someone in your family or anyone you know has multiple sclerosis and has gotten PML as a result of using Tysabri please contact us here at Napoli Bern Ripka Law Firm. You may be eligible for compensation through any number of class action suits against the makers of this drug.
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