On March 30, 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that the maker of Permax, is removing the drug from the market because of the risk of serious damage to patients' heart valves. The FDA has advised patients taking Permax, or its generic version, to contact their doctors to discuss alternative treatments. The FDA also advises patients not to stop taking the medication until talking with a doctor because abruptly stopping this medication can be dangerous.
What is Permax?
Permax, which has the generic name of pergolide mesylate, is prescribed between 12,000 and 25,000 times a year. Permax is a member of the class of drugs known as dopamine agonists and is prescribed in combination with other drugs to treat Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease affects the nerve cells in the brain that control muscle movements. Parkinson's is a disabling disease that progressively worsens over time causing trembling, difficulty walking, and problems with balance and coordination. Permax is designed to work by activating dopamine receptors located in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical that assists in coordinating balanced muscle movement.
Permax and Heart Valve Disease
Some patients that were treated with Permax reportedly developed a damaging heart condition known as cardiac valvulopathy. Valvular heart damage was found in three Parkinson's disease patients treated with Permax, according to a report from the Mayo Clinic in 2002. The heart valve damage found in these patients is similar to the valve problems caused by the diet drug combination known as fen-phen. Heart valve replacement was necessary for two of the patients involved in the Mayo Clinic report who had used Permax. None of the three patients had any previous history of heart disease. An additional study, presented at the American Academy of Neurology, in which 46 Parkinson's disease patients who were treated with Permax had echocardiograms performed, indicated that as much as 89% of the patients that were involved in the study had leaky heart valves, a condition called valvular insufficiency. This condition occurs when the heart valves do not close properly. The heart is forced to work harder in order to circulate the blood throughout the body. The valve damage could lead to a heart attack or heart failure. The Permax group was found to be 18 times more likely to suffer from significant heart valve leakage in at least one heart valve when compared to an age-matched comparison group. Symptoms of heart valve disease may include difficulty breathing, weakness, chest pain, dizziness, heart palpitations, swelling of feet or abdomen, and weight gain.
Questions and Consultations
If you or a family member has used the prescription drug Permax and noticed adverse side effects, such as heart valve disease or heart attack, you should contact a physician immediately. If you would like to discuss your rights, are interested in more information on Permax 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 Permax. 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 Permax Content:
<a href='http://www.lawyerseek.com/Practice/Pharmaceutical-Injury-C1/Permax-P108/'>Permax: Lawyer Seek</a> |
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