| Raptiva Side Effects: Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy Bacterial Sepsis Viral Meningitis Anemia Invasive Fungal Disease Other Opportunistic Infections Nervous system disorders Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) |
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| "When companies place profits over the welfare of people we, as lawyers, should feel a special need to hold them accountable. Without accountability, there can be no positive change." Todd Kelly |
| Raptiva Litigation |
Raptiva (efalizumab) is a prescription drug designed to treat psoriasis. It was
developed by the pharmaceutical company Genentech. Raptiva, which is administered
through weekly injections, alleviates the symptoms of psoriasis by suppressing the
formation of T cells, a type of white blood cell which cause inflammation of the skin
associated with psoriasis. It is a type of drug commonly referred to as an immuno-
suppressant.
After being approved by the FDA in 2003, Raptiva became one of the most widely
used forms of treatment for psoriasis. However, on October 16, 2008, the FDA issued
a “black box warning” to Raptiva which warned patients of the risks of life-
threatening infections, including Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy
(PML), a brain infection that can lead to death. On February 19, 2009 a Public
Healh Advisory was issued by the FDA after receiving confirmed reports of three
fatalities in patients using Raptiva who developed PML.
The advisory issued by the FDA strongly recommended that healthcare professionals
carefully monitor all patients on Raptiva, as well as those who have discontinued the
drug, for signs of neurologic disease. Furthermore, FDA also advised that patients on
the drug be periodically reassessed to determine whether or not there were benefits to
continued treatment in view of identified side effects.
developed by the pharmaceutical company Genentech. Raptiva, which is administered
through weekly injections, alleviates the symptoms of psoriasis by suppressing the
formation of T cells, a type of white blood cell which cause inflammation of the skin
associated with psoriasis. It is a type of drug commonly referred to as an immuno-
suppressant.
After being approved by the FDA in 2003, Raptiva became one of the most widely
used forms of treatment for psoriasis. However, on October 16, 2008, the FDA issued
a “black box warning” to Raptiva which warned patients of the risks of life-
threatening infections, including Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy
(PML), a brain infection that can lead to death. On February 19, 2009 a Public
Healh Advisory was issued by the FDA after receiving confirmed reports of three
fatalities in patients using Raptiva who developed PML.
The advisory issued by the FDA strongly recommended that healthcare professionals
carefully monitor all patients on Raptiva, as well as those who have discontinued the
drug, for signs of neurologic disease. Furthermore, FDA also advised that patients on
the drug be periodically reassessed to determine whether or not there were benefits to
continued treatment in view of identified side effects.
