Side effects of Raptiva may increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening injuries, such as infection, malignancy, lymphoma and death. The psoriasis drug was recalled in April 2009 because the risks associated with Raptiva outweighed the benefits.
RAPTIVA LAWSUIT STATUS: A number of Raptiva lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturers as a result of their failure to research the effects of the medication or warn about the risk.
Potential claims are being reviewed by Raptiva lawyers on behalf of individuals who have been diagnosed with:
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Learn More- Serious Infections (such as meningitis, encephalitis, bacterial sepsis, erythroderma, fungal disease and others)
- Lymphoma and Other Cancers (such as Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Colon Cancer and other Malignancy)
- Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy or PML (a serious brain infection)
- Neurological Complications
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MANUFACTURERS: Genentech, Inc. and Xoma LLC
OVERVIEW: Raptiva (efalizumab) was a subcutaneous injection that was administered once a week to treat psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the skin.
The medication is a member of a new class of drugs called biotics, which utilize recombinant DNA technology. The FDA approved Raptiva in October 2003, but due to post-marketing reports of Raptiva infections and lymphomas, the FDA had Genentech add a “black box” warning to the drug in 2008 due to the risk of serious infection. A Raptiva recall was issued in April 2009 after a number of confirmed reports involving a rare brain infection, known as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.
Raptiva side effects may suppress the body’s defenses, increasing the risk of serious life-threatening infections, neurological complications and the development of lymphoma, malignancy and possibly death.
ALLEGATIONS IN LAWSUITS OVER RAPTIVA: The manufacturers of Raptiva failed to adequately research the medication or warn about the risk of Raptiva infections, lymphomas and other side effects.
The drug makers knew that users of their medication needed to remain on Raptiva for long periods of time, if not for the rest of their life, because psoriasis is a chronic incurable disease and there were numerous reports of patients having “rebound effect” when they stopped using the drug. However, inadequate warnings were provided about the risks and dangers, and no significant studies on long-term use were performed.
The manufacturers also knew or should have known that the long-term immunosuppression from side effects of Raptiva increases the likelihood of serious life-threatening infections, neurological complications, lymphomas, malignancies and possibly death. However, they failed to disclose the long term risk and failed to recommend that users of the drug be monitored by their physician.
RAPTIVA BRAIN INFECTIONS: Raptiva has been associated with the development of a rare viral disease known as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (or PML), which attacks the central nervous system and the brain. The Raptiva infection has no known cure and often results in death.
Symptoms of a PML brain infection from Raptiva could includde confusion, dizziness, loss of balance, difficulty talking, difficulty walking, impaired speech and vision problems.
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LawrenceMay 16, 2021 at 2:25 am
I was in the hospital for a week or so, at St Joes Ann Arbor, Mi 09/10/2010. The Doctors suspected Meningitis but they were unable to find out whether it was bacterial or viral. They finally put on the worst drug that they had reluctantly and sent me home. I actually thought I was going to die. I wasn't able to eat for sometime as I was so sick. I had weird head aches years after like something w[Show More]I was in the hospital for a week or so, at St Joes Ann Arbor, Mi 09/10/2010. The Doctors suspected Meningitis but they were unable to find out whether it was bacterial or viral. They finally put on the worst drug that they had reluctantly and sent me home. I actually thought I was going to die. I wasn't able to eat for sometime as I was so sick. I had weird head aches years after like something was swimming around in my skull.
williamFebruary 20, 2013 at 7:35 pm
stop using it it put me in the hosptial twice
KarenAugust 6, 2009 at 1:46 am
I'm 54 years old and been taking Raptive for 5-6 years. It had been a life changing drug for me. Totally clear for 5 years. I have since changed drugs and doing very well. My question is do you think that the drug company would pay for some kind of brain testing to see if we have anything to worry about?
WAYNEMarch 16, 2009 at 8:15 am
I am 61 years old and have been taking RAPTIVA for approx. 2-3 years. I was wondering if any other patients have reported erection / infertility problems. I know this can be common amongst men my age but it icoincided with me commencing RAPTIVA treatment. Maybe a coincident but worth asking the question.
JuliaMarch 4, 2009 at 3:17 pm
I have been on Raptiva for three years and have many concerns about this drug now. How will it effect me long term once I do get off of it. This has truly scared me.
JamesFebruary 21, 2009 at 9:42 pm
To this date there have been three known cases of PML, two of which have died, the third in Europe with unconfirmed death. These three patients were all on long term therapy with Raptiva for psoriasis, two of the patients were over 70 years in age, the third in Europe was 47. While Raptiva is speculated to be related, via possible activation of JC Polyoma virus, it has not been proven. This is [Show More]To this date there have been three known cases of PML, two of which have died, the third in Europe with unconfirmed death. These three patients were all on long term therapy with Raptiva for psoriasis, two of the patients were over 70 years in age, the third in Europe was 47. While Raptiva is speculated to be related, via possible activation of JC Polyoma virus, it has not been proven. This is tragic news for Dermatologists and the psoriasis communiity, since these patients have fared so well on Raptiva.
Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy Lawsuits : AboutLawsuits.comOctober 17, 2008 at 4:29 pm
[...] multifocal leukoencepholapthy among users of the multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri, psoriasis drug Raptiva and organ transplant medications CellCept or Myfortic, or the multiple sclerosis drug [...]
FDA Adds Raptiva Black Box Warning About Serious Infections : AboutLawsuits.comOctober 17, 2008 at 4:14 pm
[...] FDA is adding a new “black box” warning to the psoriasis drug Raptiva. Side effects could include an increased risk of potentially life-threatening infections, including [...]