CINCINNATI PROPULSID INJURY LAWYERS

Propulsid, also known as Cisapride, was prescribed for patients suffering from extreme heartburn and gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) from 1993 until 2000. At that time, the drug was recalled by the manufacturer due to reports from doctors who noticed that many of their Propulsid patients had developed irregular heart rhythms, and some had died.

FDA issued a warning to consumers about the drug, advising patients taking Propulsid to contact their physicians immediately. Heart irregularities and drug-related deaths were seen in patients with known risk factors. FDA recommended that doctors test their patients for these identifiable risks.

FDA also looked at interactions of Propulsid with other common drugs. They observed adverse drug interactions with products used for anti-allergy, anti-angina, anti-arrhythmics (irregular heart rhythm), antibiotics, anti-depressants, anti-fungals, anti-nausea, anti-psychotics and protease inhibitors (anti-HIV infection).

Propulsid is a strong drug, prescribed for patients who don’t respond to similar medications. It is designed to strengthen the valve separating the esophagus from the stomach, thus preventing reflux of stomach acid into the throat. It also contracts the lower stomach muscles, pushing food from the lower abdomen to the intestines. Alternatives are available, but in rare cases no substitute exists for Propulsid.

Janssen Pharmaceutical of Johnson & Johnson manufactured Propulsid. When this drug was removed from the market, 80 people had died and over 300 patients had developed heart arrhythmias. Eleven of the deaths were infants, even though FDA had only approved Propulsid for adult use. Further study revealed that nearly 12,000 premature infants had been given Propulsid.

The law offices of O'Connor Acciani & Levy advise you to contact our personal injury attorneys if you or someone you know was injured or died after using a product that contained Propulsid. Click here or call 513-241-7111 to investigate your right to sue Janssen Pharmaceutical. Our evaluation of your case is free of charge.