Humira

Orlando, Florida Humira Lawyer

Humira, a popular pharmaceutical, manufactured by Abbott Laboratories, used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s Disease, has been linked to an array of serious side effects. Recent studies have discovered that patients taking Humira face triple the risk of developing certain kinds of cancer and double the risk of getting severe (sometimes fatal) fungal infections. Additionally, Humira use during pregnancy can lead to serious birth defects, including cleft palate.

 

Were you or a family member treated with Humira? Did you experience serious Humira side effects? If so, you may be entitled to compensation for your suffering.

 

At The Law Office of Frank M. Eidson, each Orlando, Florida Humira lawyer has the experience necessary to stand toe-to-toe with big pharmaceutical companies like Abbott Laboratories. Our firm has the resources to successfully litigate a Humira lawsuit. hrough the years we’ve handled innumerable personal injuryand dangerous drug claims. If you’ve experienced Humira side effects, our attorneys can help.

 

To discuss your potential Humira lawsuit, contact The Law Office of Frank M. Eidson today. An experienced, trial-tested Humira lawyer will carefully evaluate your case and explain your legal options.

What is Humira?

Humira is in the same class of drugs as Enbrel and Remicade. These drugs are called anti-TNF drugs or TNF blocker drugs. TNF is a small protein called a cytokine, which has a major role in the regulation of the immune system. Anti-TNF drugs confine TNF and obstruct the reaction, which causes the abnormal joint inflammation.

 

A recent medical study cited a major increase in cancer risk for patients who have used Humira in the past. Users of the drug were three times as likely to develop some kind of cancer and twice as likely to suffer from severe infection. These frightening side effects are estimated to occur in one of every 154, within 6 to 12 months from the first dose of Humira. Serious infections are estimated to occur in one of every 54 patients treated, usually within 3 to 6 months after Humira treatment begins.

Humira and Fungal Infections

Rheumatoid arthritis drugs Remicade, Enbrel, Humira, and Cimzia have been linked to a possibly fatal fungal infection. The FDA has issued an order requiring a black box warning label for the risk of histoplasmosis. Histoplasmosis, a fungal infection with flu-like symptoms, can spread beyond the respiratory system and attack other internal organs. 240 cases have been reported, with a fatality rate of around 20%.

Humira and Optic Neuritis

In May of 2011, Jamie Bixby of Brooklyn sued Abbott claiming that her optic neuritis was a side effect of Humira use. Bixby, who used Humira to treat her Crohn’s Disease, was diagnosed with permanent damage to the myelin sheath of her optic nerves and required emergency treatment when her vision in one eye became blurry with black holes.

 

The lawsuit alleges that Abbott Laboratories failed to adequately warn Humira users of the drug’s potential dangers. Had Bixby or her gastroenterologist known “that Humira could be the source of her eye pain, she would have immediately discontinued taking the drug and would have immediately obtained proper emergency treatment,” Bixbury said in the complaint.

 

Bixby said that Abbott should have known that Humira could impair vision before it began marketing the drug to Crohn’s patients in 2007. An article in a leading arthritis journal detailed a series of patients who developed deterioration of their optic nerves’ myelin sheaths after taking similar drugs. While these competing drugs carry specific warnings about the risks of optic nerve damage, Humira does not.

Other Humira Side Effects

Humira can cause harmful side effects such as:

  • tuberculosis
  • fungal infections
  • opportunistic infections
  • certain types of cancer
  • allergic reactions
  • hepatitis B virus reactivation
  • nervous system problems
  • blood problems
  • new or worsening heart failure
  • immune reactions
  • birth defect

Humira Lawsuits

It’s not uncommon for pharmaceuticals to be associated with adverse effects or serious side effects. However, drug manufacturers and sellers have certain responsibilities to the public, including:

  • Exercising reasonable care in drug development, manufacturing, inspection, and labeling.
  • Informing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the public of any side effects.
  • Advertising in a truthful and non-misleading way.

 

As a consumer and patient, you have the right to trust that your medication is safe. This is not always the case. When a pharmaceutical company acts negligently, its actions can result in serious side effects. Victims however, may have a remedy by bringing a product liability claim against the drug’s maker.

 

Well-versed in the product liability laws that protect consumers, our Orlando, Florida Humira attorneys have handled countless lawsuits involving potential harmful pharmaceuticals. To discuss your claim, contact an experienced Humira lawyer today.

Contact Our Orlando, Florida Humira Attorneys

As a consumer and a patient, you have the right to trust your medication is safe. Tragically, this is not always the case. When a pharmaceutical company acts negligently, its actions can result in serious side effects. Victims however, may recoup damages through a successful product liability claim against the drug’s maker.

 

Our Humira attorneys represent victims across the Central Florida. Well versed in the product liability laws that protect consumers, our Orlando, Florida Humira attorneys have handled countless lawsuits involving harmful pharmaceuticals. If you have experienced Humira side effects, contact us today and discuss your potential Humira lawsuit with an experienced trial attorney.