Actemra Lawsuit – Heart and Lung Injuries

Lawsuit involving Actemra  are being filed alleging the rheumatoid arthritis medication increases the risks of heart failure, stroke, pancreatitis, lung disease, and gastrointestinal perforations (holes and tears). Plaintiffs’ attorneys claim patients being treated with Actemra are at the same risk (if not higher) of suffering a heart attack, stroke and interstitial lung disease as individuals using other arthritis medication, such as Enbrel, Humira, and Remicade. . However, Actemra has been widely marketed as not carrying these risks, while competitor drug companies have specifically warned the medical community to be more cautious prescribing their drugs to patients with preexisting issues. The failure of Actemra to carry a proper warning has led doctors to over prescribe this medication to individuals who are susceptible to heart and lung injuries, and resulted in doctors failing to monitor these patients more closely for potential harm.

Actemra (tocilizumab) is an injectable or intravenous immunosuppressive drug used to treat the symptoms of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. The medication was first approved by the FDA in 2010, and is sold by Roche/Genentech. In 2017, the FDA additionally approved use of the drug for Giant Cell Arteritis. The medication also is used to treat polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children ages two and older. However, a recent analysis of adverse events reports filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has raised new concerns that Actemra can result in  serious and sometimes fatal side effects. . Further complicating matters is the fact that these side effects are not included on Actemra’s warning label, leaving patients and healthcare professionals in the dark on potential risks. In a review of the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), experts determined that patients taking Actemra were at an increased risk of suffering the following side effects:

• Heart Failure
• Pancreatitis
• Heart Attacks
• Strokes
• Interstitial Lung Disease
• Heart-Rhythm Disorder Tachycardia
• Hair Loss

Were you or a loved one diagnosed with a serious health condition after taking Actemra? Please contact Jamie Sheller Esq. for a free consultation at 1 800 883 2299.