Those who suffer from gout have few treatment options available to offer relief. For decades, the main medication prescribed by physicians for gout was allopurinol. However, there are some individuals that cannot tolerate this treatment. In 2009, Uloric was FDA-approved as a treatment for gout, even though there were concerns about cardiovascular risks. Unfortunately, these concerns have come to fruition. Uloric has caused serious harm and death for many patients that were prescribed this medication to treat gout. If you or a loved one are among those harmed by taking Uloric, you may be eligible to seek restitution in an Uloric injury lawsuit.

Gout is a painful form of arthritis that affects the joints, especially the toes and ankles. Higher levels of uric acid in the bloodstream can trigger joint swelling, redness and pain. It can make mobility difficult for sufferers. Those dealing with gout may also be at a higher risk for cardiovascular issues. Treatment for gout is limited. Allopurinol has been used since the mid-1960s to help control symptoms. It was not until 2009 that Uloric, the brand name for febuxostat, was produced by Takeda Pharmaceuticals. It was then approved by the FDA for the treatment of gout. Unfortunately, the cardiovascular side effects of this drug have caused serious injuries and death for some patients who were prescribed this new drug for gout.

Have You or a Loved One Experienced Any of the Following Injuries While Taking Uloric?

Anyone who was prescribed Uloric for gout and experienced cardiovascular issues while taking the medication or within 18 months of using the medication may be eligible to seek compensation for injuries. Lawsuits against the manufacturer can recover financial damages for victims and their families to cover medical bills, lost income, funeral/burial costs and pain and suffering. The following cardiovascular events have been linked to the use of Uloric:

• Cardiovascular-related issues
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Angina
• Heart palpitations
• Heart-related death

This drug has put many people with gout at risk for serious harm and death. It is only right that the manufacturers who profited from the sale of this dangerous drug should compensate victims for their pain and suffering. The premature release of Uloric before it had been properly tested for safety has affected many gout sufferers.

Uloric Proven Unsafe in Clinical Trial

When the FDA approved Uloric in 2009 for the management of chronic hyperuricemia (excess uric acid), causing gout, it did so with concerns about cardiovascular risks. It required that Takeda Pharmaceuticals issue a warning of increased risk for cardiovascular events and perform a safety study regarding these possible risks. However, the drug was still released and prescribed to patients, even though the study would take years to complete.

It was not until 2017 that the first findings of the cardiovascular safety study on Uloric were released by the FDA. In a press release in November 2017, the FDA announced that the 6000-patient safety trial on Uloric showed preliminary data that linked the drug to higher risk of cardiovascular death when compared to allopurinol. Since the two drugs have similar effectiveness, these findings were concerning for patients that had already used Uloric over the past eight years. The FDA allowed Uloric to remain on the market. This is even after the final results of the safety study were published in March 2018, showing an increased risk for cardiovascular death. After a petition by Public Citizen, a non-profit advocacy group, asked for the removal of Uloric from the market, the FDA required a warning label on the packaging of Uloric in February 2019. However, this unsafe medication still remains readily available.

If you have lost a loved one to a cardiovascular-related death or you suffered a cardiovascular event within 18-months of taking Uloric, you may be eligible to seek compensation. Our experienced legal team at Harman Law Firm invites you to contact our office. We will provide a free case assessment to discuss your legal options. You may be eligible to receive significant compensation for your loss or injuries. Contact our office today.