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The following FAQs are intended to provide information, in layman’s terms,
relating to people who used the heartburn drug Propulsid. This material is
not intended to be a legal document and is for information purposes only.
Please contact our offices if you require further information.
What is the problem associated with Propulsid?
What damage does Propulsid cause?
Did all users of Propulsid experience problems?
Is
Propulsid still in use?
What is multi-district litigation?
What is the panel on multi-district litigation?
What is the problem associated with Propulsid?
Propulsid was released with the intention of acting to combat heartburn
during the nighttime. However, it also caused heart rhythm abnormalities,
resulting in various other medical problems and sometimes death. Patients
with no history of cardiac problems were subjected to new difficulties that
were caused either by a combination of the drug with antibiotic and
antifungal drugs, or through a combination of illnesses.
What damage does Propulsid cause?
Some of the effects of Propulsid include:
· Sudden cardiac death
· Heart attack
· Irregular heartbeat
· QT interval prolongation
And in children:
· Antinuclear antibody
· Positive anemia
· Haemolytic anemia
· Hypo-glycemia
· Confusion
· Impaired concentration
· Depression
· Apathy
· Visual changes
· Amnesia
Did all users of Propulsid experience problems?
No, in fact it was a very small proportion of those who used the drug.
However, it was still a significant number of people, with 341 reports of
significant heart difficulties, of which 80 resulted in death. This number is
out of 30 million patients who used the drug at some time.
Patients at higher risk included those who were using conflicting drugs, or
who had conflicting disorders such as a history of cardiac problems. Patients
who used the drug alone, with no alternative therapy or conditions, generally
suffered no adverse effects.
Is Propulsid still in use?
Propulsid is still used for treatment. However, patients must now meet an
even more stringent level of criteria. Physicians must assess each patient
and then confirm that there is no alternative therapy, there is no history of
cardiac problems, the patient is not taking any conflicting drugs, and the
patient took an electrocardiogram and blood tests.
What is multi-district litigation?
This is litigation that is pending across multiple federal district courts
surrounding one issue, in this case Propulsid. In these cases, where civil
actions are involved, the case may be transferred by the Judicial Panel to
any federal court so that the proceedings may be coordinated and a decision
is reached that affects all parties.
What is the panel on multi-district litigation?
The panel is made up of seven federal judges designated by the Chief Justice
of the United States. Responsibilities of the panel include the determination
of which cases qualify for multidistrict litigation, in addition to which
court should handle the multidistrict proceedings. The panel must also
evaluate whether the transfers are worthwhile and productive.
Other major questions are answered at
http://propulsid.laed.uscourts.gov/faq.htm
e.g. describe these forms and what to do with them:
http://propulsid.laed.uscourts.gov/forms.htm
and:
· Order & Reasons 06/04/02 (Court's ruling denying Plaintiffs' Steering
Committee's motion for certification of a nationwide class action for medical
monitoring under Rule 23(b)(2))
Do I have a Propulsid Case?
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