Lemtrada May Be Twice as Effective As Its Leading Competitor

Unfortunately, the risks faced by Lemtrada patients may exceed its benefits

Friday, July 5, 2019 - Patients suffering from relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) that have tried at least two other medications unsuccessfully, are attempting Lemtrada infusion treatments as a last resort to contain their disease. Clinical studies show that Lemtrada is twice as effective as the leading alternative drug in preventing multiple sclerosis relapses from occurring. Such fantastic results, however, are not without a price. The side effects of Lemtrada can cause permanent physical damage and even death.

Lemtrada patients have suffered strokes within 24 hours after receiving the drug. Lemtrada causes arterial dissection or tears in the arterial lining of the head and neck. Blood immediately accumulates in the fissures causing decreased blood flow to the brain and can result in a potentially paralyzing the patient. Lemtrada patients are required to be monitored constantly for 24-48 hours after starting infusion treatments. In addition to strokes, Lemtrada patients may also experience permanent, irreversible brain damage from the decreased blood flow to the brain. Even though most Lemtrada patients are generally satisfied with the drug's performance, an increasing number report mixed results and some MS researchers wonder if the potential for death is worth the risk. Lemtrada stroke attorneys represent families and individuals harmed from Lemtrada, a drug prescribed to patients suffering from relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, has been linked to serious side effects including stroke and arterial dissection.

Lemtrada is manufactured by Genzyme, a subsidiary of Sanofi Inc., and was approved for sale in the United States in 2014. In 2017 Sanofi recorded $275 million in revenues from the drug. Lemtrada is given in two infusion session, one per year for two years. The company has performed extensive post-market testing and data gathering on patients for an 8-year follow up period and reports, "After their initial two courses of Lemtrada, approximately half of patients received no additional treatment through eight years. Almost two-thirds of patients did not experience disability worsening through year eight, providing important insight into the effects of Lemtrada seen over time."

In addition to the risk of having a stroke and brain injury, Lemtrada's serious side effects include "infusion reactions, autoimmune disorders (such as thyroid disease, autoimmune cytopenias, and nephropathies), infections, acute acalculous cholecystitis, and pneumonitis. Lemtrada may cause an increased risk of malignancies." As a result of the risks, potential patients are required to participate in a risk-management program before being accepted to receive treatments. Details about the program can be found on the drug's official website at https://www.lemtradarems.com/. The US Food and Drug Administration requires that the risk management program be followed to ensure that the patient is informed of the risks above, and also for the physician and patient to ascertain whether or not the potential benefits outweigh them. Unfortunately, the FDA's risk management program is too little and too late for may Lemtrada patient that have suffered strokes, brain damage, increased risks of malignancies, and other related life-threating maladies from taking the drug. Until the FDA risk program was enforced, Sanofi failed to warn patients of the drug's extensive life-threatening side effects. As a result, people have been left paralyzed by Lemtrada strokes or are suffering from permanent brain damage.

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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.