What is Lotronex?
Lotronex, generic name alosetron hydrochloride, is marketed by GlaxoSmithKline. Lotronex is prescribed to treat irritable bowel syndrome, commonly referred to as IBS. IBS affects the large intestine and involves abdominal pain along with diarrhea or constipation. Lotronex is designed to work by blocking certain chemical signals in the body that may cause bowel over-activity, pain, and sensitivity. The medication is prescribed in an effort to reduce the stomach pain, discomfort, and diarrhea associated with IBS, that can have a severe impact on an individual's quality of life. Currently, Lotronex is approved by the FDA only for treating women who suffer from IBS and whose primary symptom of their disorder is severe diarrhea. Lotronex is not used by men or by women whose primary symptom is constipation, as their symptoms may be exacerbated by using Lotronex.
Lotronex and Ischemic Colitis
Lotronex had been voluntarily withdrawn from the market, at the request of the FDA, by GlaxoSmithKline in the year 2000. However, Lotronex has been re-approved and put back on the market in a very limited capacity. The withdrawal came after Lotronex was linked to several reports of harmful side effects. Lotronex has been linked to reports of ischemic colitis and severe constipation. Ischemic colitis is a condition in which serious intestinal damage is caused by a reduced blood flow to the intestines. Ischemic colitis may result in death or the need for surgery in serious cases. As of February 2001, the FDA had received 66 reports of cases of ischemic colitis and an additional 61 reports of cases of severe constipation that may have been linked to Lotronex. Some of these patients required surgery and others remain permanently disabled from these side effects. Also, according to the FDA, the deaths of 4 patients may be linked to Lotronex. The re-approval of Lotronex by the FDA occurred in 2002. The FDA has approved Lotronex again, however the drug may only be used to treat patients that meet certain restrictions. Lotronex is only approved to treat women with the most severe cases of IBS that involve diarrhea, and disrupts their daily life. Only certain doctors who are qualified to treat IBS are permitted to prescribe Lotronex. Even though Lotronex is back on the market, it still carries the risk of very harmful side effects. Some reports indicate that 1 out of every 350 women who take Lotronex for six months will suffer from ischemic colitis. Patients who continue to take Lotronex should be mindful of the symptoms of ischemic colitis, which include new or worsening abdominal pain, lower back pain, vomiting, blood in diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and fever.
Questions and Consultations
If you or a family member has used the prescription drug Lotronex and noticed adverse side effects, such as severe constipation or ischemic colitis, you should contact a physician immediately. If you would like to discuss your rights, are interested in more information on Lotronex litigation, or if you have information about the cases that you would like to share with us, please fill out the short evaluation form below and a member of Seeger Weiss LLP's experienced staff will call you to discuss your potential rights concerning Lotronex. Attorney consultations incur no obligation on your part and all initial consultations are free of charge and do not create an attorney-client relationship. Seeger Weiss LLP has office locations in both New York and New Jersey and its attorneys practice in courts throughout the country.
Link To Lawyer Seek's Lotronex Content:
<a href='http://www.lawyerseek.com/Practice/Pharmaceutical-Injury-C1/Lotronex-P87/'>Lotronex: Lawyer Seek</a> |
|
