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Ashcraft & Gerel
LLP
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THE DIABETES DRUG, REZULIN -
CLAIMS FOR LIVER DAMAGE,
LIVER FAILURE AND DEATH
[Introduction: Although our offices are located in Maryland (MD), Virginia (VA) and Washington, D.C. (DC), our drug and pharmaceutical practice is national in scope, and our lawyers are handling many drug cases around the country. Therefore, regardless of what state you're in, please complete our inquiry form on this web site or email us so that we can have an attorney from our drug litigation department contact you.]
Rezulin (troglitazone) is a drug used by persons suffering from Type II Diabetes. Type II Diabetes is also referred to as Adult-Onset Diabetes or Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus. Persons suffering from this condition either do not produce enough insulin or are unable to utilize the insulin that is produced by their bodies. This condition is called insulin resistance.
In either circumstance, sugar builds up in the blood which can cause a variety of medical conditions. These include kidney damage, eye disease (including loss of vision), heart problems, dental problems, increased susceptibility to infection and serious nerve damage. Rezulin was designed to improve the body's capacity for using the insulin already present. It does not increase the production of insulin, nor is it an insulin substitute. Unfortunately, Rezulin also generates high levels of toxicity and poses serious risk of liver damage. The FDA approved Rezulin for use in this country in 1997. Interestingly, that was the same year in which Great Britain withdrew the drug from the market. At the time of its approval, liver toxicity was known to be a potential side-effect. In the short time since it was approved, however, the FDA has supervised no fewer than four changes in the manufacturer's warning labels in an attempt to address these concerns. During that same period of time the FDA has been receiving an ever increasing number of reported liver ailments related to Rezulin use, including liver failure. These liver failures have resulted in at least 61 reported deaths linked to Rezulin and in other cases have caused the need for transplants. It is estimated that approximately 750,000 Americans had been using Rezulin.
Recently the FDA requested that the manufacturer of Rezulin, Parke-Davis/Warner-Lambert, withdraw the drug from the market. Critics contend that the FDA was slow to act on the drug and note that shortly before the FDA action an FDA physician had approached the United States Congress seeking its help in persuading the agency to have the drug removed from the market. On March 22, 2000, Parke-Davis/Warner-Lambert complied with the FDA's request. It should be noted that the FDA has within the past year approved two other drugs which perform a similar function to Rezulin. These are Avandia (rosiglitazone) and Actos (pioglitazone). These drugs deliver similar benefits with substantially lower levels of toxicity.
Ashcraft & Gerel is now accepting claims for injuries caused by Rezulin. We have been a leader in mass tort and product liability cases and settlements, including asbestos, breast implants and tainted blood. Our lawyers have been at the forefront of the Fen-Phen diet drug claims for over two years, and we are well situated to see the Rezulin cases to a successful damage recovery for our clients. We have a toll free number to answer your questions with regard to your specific case. That number is 1-800-725-6470. If you would prefer, please feel free to e-mail us or complete the help inquiry form on this web site. Please be sure to include your name, address, telephone number (if you wish to be called), email address and the exact nature of your question so that we can provide you with the specific information you seek.
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