Trasylol: Not Too Late to Join a Lawsuit

Raleigh, NCTrasylol has become the latest in a long line of drugs to be pulled from the market because their risks outweigh their benefits. Trasylol, a drug used to prevent the need for blood transfusions, has been linked to kidney failure and coronary problems following open heart surgery. Patients are now filing lawsuits against Bayer, the maker of Trasylol, alleging that the drug maker hid Trasylol's true risks from medical professionals.

Meanwhile, patients who are not sure if they were given Trasylol during surgery are trying to obtain their medical records. Many have experienced side effects similar to those described by Trasylol patients. Some suffered kidney failure and required dialysis; others developed blood clots and required amputations. Some patients who were given Trasylol died from the complications.

Bayer, who already faces many lawsuits regarding Trasylol, faces yet another, although this one does not claim physical injury. According to the [BUSINESS JOURNAL] the plaintiff claims that use of Trasylol during his heart surgery caused "economic injury." The plaintiff alleges that Trasylol was actively marketed even though there were cheaper and safer alternatives to the drug.

How much cheaper? Well, a Trasylol injection can cost up to $1,000 compared with alternatives that can cost as little as $50. That is a massive markup for a drug that has now been linked such serious side effects.

The lawsuit, which was filed in North Carolina, seeks class action status for patients who received Trasylol but are not involved in a personal injury claim.

Although a risk of kidney failure may seem acceptable considering the patient is in for open heart surgery, it is important to keep in mind that Trasylol is only used to prevent the need for blood transfusions. It is not, directly, a life saving drug. Patients who do not receive Trasylol can still come through their open heart surgery safely. This is not to say that blood transfusions are simple or risk-free procedures, just that Trasylol is not a drug that necessarily saves lives.

A risk of kidney failure is unacceptable for a drug that does not appear to have life-saving use, especially considering how many people have developed this serious condition after being injected with Trasylol. Furthermore, because kidney failure can result in death, patients are ultimately being asked to accept a risk of death from use of a drug that is only designed to prevent blood transfusions. The benefits simply do not outweigh the risks.

The good news is that Trasylol has been recalled, so most people will not be exposed to it any more. The drug can be used in very limited circumstances, but for the most part, it will not be able to injure many more patients. The bad news is that countless people have already been harmed by this drug. In fact, many people may have had serious reactions to Trasylol and not even realized it.

If you are not sure whether or not Trasylol was used in your surgery but have suffered side effects that indicate it may have been used, contact a lawyer to discuss your legal options. It is not too late to join a lawsuit against Bayer.