Aprotinin/Trasylol
US, Canada and Puerto Rico
Heart surgery patients are at a high risk of suffering serious complications, whether it is during surgery or after. However, if you were given the blot clotting pharmaceutical Trasylol, and you suffered any complications or adverse health effects because of this defective drug, please contact the personal injury lawyers at Balkin & Eisbrouch, LLC.
About Trasylol
Trasylol is the trade name for an aprotinin injection, which was commonly used to stop bleeding during open heart surgeries. Manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation, this drug works by inhibiting the enzymes that increase your chance of bleeding during surgery. Trasylol is primarily given to patients who are undergoing heart bypass surgery, though it as also been used in surgeries like hip replacement procedures.
Suppressed Dangers
Researchers warned Bayer of the dangerous side effects before it hit the market. Still, the drug manufacturer pushed for approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Trasylol was then released and distributed worldwide.
Prominent medical studies were then conducted, even one requested by Bayer, to disprove the drug’s dangers. These studies revealed that patients who took Trasylol were at a considerable risk of serious complications. The most common health risks associated with this drug include:
- Massive kidney failure
- Blood clots and stroke
- Heart attacks
- Brain damage
- Paralysis
After discovering these health risks, the FDA issued a public health advisory about Trasylol in February of 2006. Bayer, however, kept the aprotinin injection on the market another eight months before fully recalling Trasylol in November of 2007.
By ignoring the dangers of Trasylol and postponing the recall, Bayer is responsible for the numerous patients who became seriously injured, disabled or died from this prescription drug.
Symptoms and Side Effects of Trasylol
Some symptoms that indicate you are having an adverse reaction to Trasylol include:
- Rapid heart beat
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Skin rash and irritation
- Inflammation or severe pain in the chest, legs, groin or head
- Vomiting
- Swelling in the face, tongue and neck
- Heart
There are alternatives to Trasylol that are less risky and often less expensive than this potentially life-threatening drug. Several of these generic alternatives are aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid.
If you have suffered an injury from Trasylol, please contact the dangerous drug attorneys at Balkin & Eisbrouch, LLC. Our law firm serves clients in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
