Raptiva defective drug ailments may merit a Raptiva lawsuit

Yet another defective drug may be threatening the health and even the lives of many Americans. That drug is Raptiva, an injectable medication which is designed to ease the inflammation suffered by the six to seven million Americans afflicted with psoriasis.

Unfortunately, the treatment may be far worse than the condition. That's because the Food and Drug Administration and Genentech, the drug's manufacturer, have revealed that several people who'd taken Raptiva for their psoriasis later died from an associated neurological disorder.

Raptiva could be causing severe health problems by virtue of the fact that the process it triggers to treat psoriasis also reduces a patient's immunity system defenses. By suppressing the T-cells of the body's immune system in order to lessen inflammation caused by psoriasis, Raptiva also could be provoking a condition known as PML, or progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. In 80 per cent of sufferers of PML, the neurological disorder leads to death within six months, and even survivors are left with severe neurological problems.

Such dangers have prompted European health authorities to call for a ban on new prescriptions for Raptiva already, and to alert physicians to be wary of neurological problems in patients who take the drug. Meanwhile, the FDA has issued only an advisory about Raptiva while it investigates further. The FDA itself approved the use of Raptiva in 2003.

If you or a family member has taken Raptiva and is concerned about possible adverse health effects, see your physician immediately. Also consider alerting a Raptiva defective drug lawyer for assistance in a possible Raptiva lawsuit. When a person and his or her family suffers loss due to a drug manufacturer's negligence, they are legally entitled to recover financial compensation, and this can be achieved with a knowledgeable Raptiva defective drug attorney.