Zelnorm Lawsuits

Tegaserod is sold under the trade name Zelnorm. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a condition that is treated with this medication. Zelmac is another name used to market Tegaserod.

Why is Zelnorm Risky?

The Food and Drug Administration requested that Norvartis, the company that makes Zelnorm, remove the medication from the market in the United States on March 30, 2007. (FDA). Zelnorm was allegedly linked by the FDA to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke in some patients, leading to the recall of the medicine.

According to Novartis, there is no direct link between using Zelnorm and any adverse cardiovascular effects. Instead, the business claims that a large number of those who experienced heart attacks or strokes after taking the medication already had risk factors.

In light of fresh data showing that Zelnorm raises the risk of severe chest pain, heart attacks, and strokes, the Food and Drug Administration requested that Novartis, the drug’s producer, stop producing the medication. According to this recent research, patients taking Zelnorm are ten times more likely than the general population to experience adverse cardiac events.

You might want to get in touch with an experienced lawyer who can assess your case and help you establish the best strategy for defending your legal rights if you or a loved one experienced a heart attack, stroke, or other significant harm while taking Zelnorm. You might be entitled to damages for your pain and losses. For a free consultation, please get in touch with a Zelnorm attorney.

What is Zelnorm?

Zelnorm is a prescription drug that was initially licensed in 2002 for the short-term treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in women whose predominant symptom is constipation. The generic name for Zelnorm is tegaserod maleate. IBS can also include cramps, bloating, stomach pain, and diarrhea. IBS does not have a known etiology.

Zelnorm was authorized to treat persistent constipation in both women and males under the age of 65 later in 2004.

Zelnorm helps the intestines to evacuate feces more quickly. Zelnorm may help some people with their bloating, constipation, and abdominal pain and discomfort.

Zelnorm Study

The examination of 29 studies by the Swiss government formed the basis of the study that resulted in Zelnorm’s removal from the market. 13 of the 11,614 patients receiving Zelnorm in these studies experienced a significant adverse event, such as severe chest pain, a heart attack, or a stroke, according to this meta-analysis.

Zelnorm adverse effects led to the death of one of these individuals. For comparison, there was only one non-fatal adverse event reported in 7,031 patients who took a placebo (dummy) tablet.

Heart-Related Zelnorm Side Effects

This new information suggests that Zelnorm may result in life-threatening cardiovascular adverse effects, such as a linked heart attack or stroke. These illnesses are life-threatening and demand urgent medical care.

Heart attack signs and symptoms might include:

• Sporadic chest ache (angina)
• Breathing difficulty
• Fatigue

Two out of every three individuals have these symptoms in the few weeks before a heart attack.

Although it is not always present, chest discomfort, which starts in the middle of the chest and may radiate to the back, is a clear sign of a heart attack. A third of people who have a heart attack don’t have any chest pain before it happens. Symptoms of a heart attack seem to affect women less frequently than they do males. People above the age of 75 and those with diabetes, heart failure, or stroke are also less likely to exhibit symptoms.

Other heart attack signs and symptoms may include:

• Nausea
• Feeling weak
• Quick onset of heavy perspiration
• Rapid heartbeat

If you or a loved one begins to suffer any of these or other strange symptoms while taking Zelnorm, you should immediately call your doctor.

The location of the bleeding or blockage in the brain affects the symptoms of a stroke. Among the early signs of a stroke are:

• Abrupt weakness, loss of sensation, or paralysis on one side of the body (usually the face and leg)
• Abrupt eyesight problems or loss
• Confusion
• Speaking or interpreting speech with difficulty
• Loss of coordination or balance
• Terrible headache

It’s crucial to get medical help right away if you experience these symptoms.

Further Severe Side Effects of Zelnorm

Zelnorm has numerous harmful side effects in addition to major cardiovascular concerns. For many years, Zelnorm has been linked to a higher risk of life-threatening gastrointestinal issues, such as:

• A lot of diarrhea,
• Inflamed colitis,
• Different types of intestinal ischemia.

Hospitalization may be necessary if severe diarrhea results in low blood pressure, dehydration, and fainting. When the blood flow to the colon or intestines is severely reduced or cut off, it results in dangerous disorders such as ischemic colitis. These ailments, which structurally resemble heart attacks, can be fatal because they induce severe injury to or death of intestinal structures.

These diseases can occasionally result in severe complications that need surgery. These conditions’ symptoms include:

• Stomach discomfort that suddenly ranges in intensity
• A pressing need to go to the bathroom
• Bowel movements that are frequent and forceful
• Abdominal bloating or discomfort
• Blood in the stools or the urine
• A low backache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever

The FDA had already added a black box warning to Zelnorm in response to these symptoms to inform patients and physicians about these serious risks.

It is critical to get in touch with your doctor if you encounter any of these side effects while taking Zelnorm. With the aid of a compassionate and knowledgeable Zelnorm attorney, you might be able to pursue financial compensation for your losses if you or a loved one has experienced this severe Zelnorm injury.

What Steps Are Involved in the Drug Recall Process?

An organization that makes a drug will be informed if the FDA or CDER decides it is dangerous for use by the general public. Typically, it will instruct the company to do a recall. The business will then have to recall its items as required by law voluntarily.

According to the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the FDA may take legal action if the corporation disobeys the recall order for whatever reason. Obtaining an injunction and a court order with detailed instructions for the business and goods being recalled may be necessary. Federal officials may also seize any residual goods due to the process.

What if a Defective Drug has Caused Me Harm?

There could be several possibilities accessible to you if you sustained injuries as a result of a faulty medication. It might be feasible for you to: To receive compensation for your harm and financial losses:

• Sue the business in a private civil case: You will need to provide evidence of your injuries and financial losses in writing (i.e., hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, etc.). Additionally, it might entail the intricate interplay of numerous distinct legal doctrines, such as strict liability violations, product liability, negligence, and liability for breach of warranty. It might also be feasible to start a class action lawsuit for defective products if the drug has caused several injuries.
• Report a drug fault to the FDA by completing Reporting Form 3500, typically the first step in starting a drug recall: Depending on who is filing the report—a consumer individually, a doctor, a health care institution, etc.—reporting requirements and formats may vary.

You should be aware that the length of healing time available to you may occasionally be limited by the timing of the injury. It can be argued that you assumed the risk by continuing to use the product after it was recalled, for instance, if the accident happened after a public recall had previously been announced.

On the other hand, if the business’s recall warning was made in a way that was ambiguous or challenging for the general public to access, you could be able to get compensation for your losses.

Do I Need a Lawyer for a Zelnorm Lawsuit?

Many lawyers are beginning to file cases against the Zelnorm producer. One should not decide to sue carelessly because this litigation could take several years to conclude.

An experienced class action attorney can only predict the likelihood that an individual will prevail in such a lawsuit. Such a lawyer will be able to advise you on the evidence you’ll need to present in support of your claims and work with you to file a lawsuit against the drug maker.