Lemtrada Causes High Blood Pressure Before a Stroke Occurs

Lemtrada Stroke Lawsuit News

Lemtrada's can cause several serious medical problems that doctors must watch for

Tuesday, August 6, 2019 - Doctors that treat relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) with

Lemtrada (alemtuzumab), a monoclonal antibody, should be aware that a patient's rising blood pressure can be a sign of intracranial bleeding, an early warning signal that a potentially fatal stroke may be about to occur a recent study by Sanofi Genzyme, the drug's maker has found. Lemtrada attorneys known as national drug safety litigation leaders helping families and individuals nationwide and offer a free consultation before filing a lawsuit claim.

According to Multiple Sclerosis News Today, Lemtrada is given to patients as a last resort after all other RRMS treatments have failed to control the frequency and duration of MS symptoms such as spasticity. Lemtrada is administered "12 mg dosages per day, given in four-hour intravenous (into the vein) infusions over five consecutive days, followed by infusions on three consecutive days one year later. Lemtrada works by inactivating inflammatory immune B and T cells, which can help slow down the progression of MS."

In addition to contributing to stroke, Lemtrada can cause arterial dissection leading to internal bleeding including life-threatening bleeding in the lungs in approximately 20% of patients. Patients that are affected usually go into respiratory distress and cough up blood. Chest X-ray and a computed tomography (CT) scan are used to detect lung bleeding by showing shadowing in the lungs, according to the MSN Today report.

Doctors are urged to closely monitor Lemtrada infusion patients during the first 24 to 48 hours for other early warning signs that the patient may suffer a paralyzing stroke or instant death. Since FDA approval in 2014, Lemtrada has been linked to 13 cases of head and neck bleeding and spontaneous intracranial hemorrhaging that have led to strokes immediately following infusions. Symptoms of a potential stroke are decreased consciousness, confusion, and headaches. According to Lemtradsrems.com, "LEMTRADA causes serious, sometimes fatal, autoimmune conditions such as immune thrombocytopenia and anti-glomerular basement membrane disease."

Distribution of Lemtrada is severely restricted because of its life-threatening side effects. Doctors should be familiar with the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy Program that governs and limits the drugs legal distribution. The FDA requires doctors patients to participate in the program to make sure that both are fully aware of the risks and to help them decide if the drug's potential benefits are worth it.

On the plus side, patients have reported positive outcomes when Lemtrada treatments are successful. Lemtrada patients completing the company's Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire report "significant and meaning full improvements in the quality of their life." Lemtrada patients are asked to evaluate their overall satisfaction with the drug's results, the extent to which the drug has helped to reduce their MS symptoms, the convenience of taking the medication, and finally to evaluate each of the drug's side effects. Frequent but non-life threatening Lemtrada side effects include "rash, headache, nausea, urinary tract infection, fatigue, insomnia, upper respiratory tract infection, herpes viral infection, thyroid gland disorders, fungal infection, pain in extremity, back pain, and diarrhea."

On November 29, 2018, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required that Sanofi update Lemtrada's "boxed warning" to include the potential for causing a stroke. Boxed warnings are reserved by the FDA for drugs that can cause serious injury and death.

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No-Cost, No-Obligation Lemtrada Lawsuit Case Review If You or a Loved One Suffered from Lemtrada Stroke Complications

OnderLaw, LLC is a St. Louis personal injury law firm handling serious injury and death claims across the country. Its mission is the pursuit of justice, no matter how complex the case or strenuous the effort. The Onder Law Firm has represented clients throughout the United States in pharmaceutical and medical device litigation such as Pradaxa, Lexapro and Yasmin/Yaz, where the firm's attorneys held significant leadership roles in the litigation, as well as Actos, DePuy, Risperdal and others. The Onder Law Firm has won more than $300 million in four talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuits in St. Louis. Law firms throughout the nation often seek its experience and expertise on complex litigation.