Have you or a loved one suffered serious injuries after taking Xeljanz?
Pfizer is facing a growing number of Xeljanz lawsuits from patients who took this prescription medication. Victims experienced serious side effects from taking this drug,including heart attacks; strokes; blood clots in the legs, thigh, pelvis or lungs; ulcerative colitis and cancer. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently required Pfizer to add a black box warning about these potential risks in September 2021, tens of thousands of people had already been using the drug before that.
If you or a loved one have suffered any side effects from Xeljanz, give our firm a call today to schedule a free consultation. Our defective drug lawyers may be able to help you seek compensation for past and future medical bills and other damages. We know how physically, financially and psychologically devastating serious medical problems can be for victims and their families.
The initial consultation is free, and there are no upfront fees for our services. We are not paid unless you get paid. Our firm has obtained hundreds of millions in verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients. These results include a $23 million recovery in a defective drug case.
Phillips Law Group. We are here to help. Call 602-222-2222 today.
Benefits of Legal Representation
Proving a defective drug case is a complex undertaking. It requires a thorough investigation and the resources to bring in experts and take other steps, as necessary. Victims of defective drugs not only need a qualified attorney, but also a firm that has significant experience and resources.
Phillips Law Group has been helping victims of negligence for nearly three decades. During that time, we have obtained more than $1 billion in compensation on behalf of our clients. This experience provides our attorneys with an in-depth understanding of how to build strong cases and how to take on large corporations looking to make lawsuits simply go away.
By hiring an experienced firm like ours, you can focus on your medical treatment instead of the complexities of the legal process. That said, you can rely on our firm to keep you well informed and quickly respond to your questions.
Visit our client reviews page to see what past clients have to say about the services we provided and their experiences working with our legal team.
Determining if You May Have a Case
You can discuss whether you may have a case with one of our licensed attorneys in a free consultation. There are many factors we likely need to consider before determining what legal options you may have.
For example, we may need to discuss:
- Your diagnosis (heart attack, stroke, pulmonary embolism, cancer, colitis, etc.)
- History of taking Xeljanz
- Why you were originally prescribed this medication
- Symptoms you have been experiencing
- How your medical issues have affected you psychologically, financially and in your career
- What you knew or were told about Xeljanz side effects before you took the medication
After getting more information about your situation, we can better understand whether your case has merit. Remember, the initial consultation is free, and there is no obligation to hire our firm if we find you have a valid case.
There is limited time to take legal action, however, and building a case takes time. If you think you may have grounds for filing a Xeljanz lawsuit, give us a call today. We are here to assist you.
Damages for Defective Drug Victims
The purpose of filing a personal injury lawsuit, such as for a defective drug, is to obtain compensation for the damages the victim suffered. Much of the compensation recovered in these cases is for the medical expenses created by obtaining treatment for the victim’s injuries. This includes the cost of treatment already received and treatment the patient will still need to have.
That said, victims may also be eligible to obtain compensation for other damages, such as pain and suffering, lost enjoyment of life, lost companionship, lost wages and loss of earning capacity.
At Phillips Law Group, we understand how an injury can affect many aspects of a victim’s life. We are dedicated to seeking compensation for all these damages to strive to put victims back in the position they were in prior to their injury.
Schedule your free legal consultation. Call 602-222-2222 today.
Why Was the Xeljanz Warning Label Updated?
The FDA announced it was requiring Pfizer to update its warning label after reviewing Xeljanz clinical trials and other studies that found Xeljanz users had higher rates of serious cardiovascular issues, cancer, pulmonary embolisms and death.
The FDA’s safety communication announcing the updates to the Xeljanz label said research revealed higher rates of lymphoma and lung cancer among those taking Xeljanz.
Black box warnings are the most serious safety warnings the FDA adds to medications. Black box warnings are only added to warn health care providers and the public about the risk of severe injury or death.This update includes Xeljanz XR (extended-release) tablets.
Research on Xeljanz Side Effects
While Xeljanz may cause a variety of side effects, like headaches, fatigue or diarrhea, research has also shown that those who take Xeljanz may have a higher risk of developing severe or life-threatening medical problems.
Link to Cancer
Two studies of a total of 11,865 people taking the drug revealed an increased risk of cancer. These studies analyzed the results of 19 Xeljanz clinical trials.
While the most often reported cancer linked to Xeljanz is lung cancer ”“ as reported by Pfizer in a January 2021 press release ”“ other cancers have also been reported, including:
- Breast cancer
- Colon cancer
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Prostate cancer
Link to Blood Clots
The FDA received 52 reports of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and 79 reports of pulmonary embolism (PE) between 2013 and 2018. These reports were logged in the FDA Adverse Events Reporting System. Unfortunately, 15 of these cases involved patients who died.
DVT and PE are caused by blood clots, which may result from use of Xeljanz. Patients who suffer blood clots after using Xeljanz could also suffer:
- Ischemic stroke
- Cerebrovascular accident
- Arterial thrombosis
- Transient ischemic attack
- Pulmonary thrombosis
Reports of these injuries caused the European Medicines Agency to refuse approval of Xeljanz in Europe.
It is also important to note that the FDA rescinded approval of the 10-milligram dose of Xeljanz for treating arthritis because of an unreasonable risk of blood clots. The data showing the risk of blood clots is from a long-term post-market research study Pfizer was required to conduct as part of the drug approval process.45 deaths were reported from patients prescribed Xeljanz 10 mg twice daily.
Link to Cardiovascular Problems
An FDA Drug Safety Communication was sent out in February of 2021 to alert people about the risk of severe cardiovascular problems. Pfizer sent a press release about this in January 2021 stating that a heart attack was the most reported cardiovascular event. Other cardiovascular events linked to Xeljanz include:
- Coronary revascularization
- Congestive heart failure
- Cardiac arrest
- Death from cardiovascular issues
The Xeljanz label was updated in July 2019 to warn of a higher risk of sudden cardiovascular death. This high-risk group includes patients taking the drug for rheumatoid arthritis who are over the age of 50 and have at least one cardiovascular risk factor, such as high blood pressure.
Phillips Law Group. Experienced Attorneys. Proven Results. 602-222-2222
Xeljanz Lawsuits That Have Been Filed
The growing number of lawsuits against Pfizer include Xeljanz users who suffered serious side effects, like blood clots, cancer or cardiovascular injuries. These lawsuits make a variety of allegations against Pfizer.
For example, some lawsuits claim the manufacturer failed to warn the public about the increased risk of blood clots and cardiovascular issues when taking higher doses of the medication. Lawsuits also claim Pfizer did not do enough safety research and testing before seeking FDA approval, and the company knew there was a higher risk of blood clots and other serious medical issues but failed to tell the public.
Many Xeljanz lawsuits may eventually be consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL), but as of September 2021 that has not happened.
Background on Xeljanz
Xeljanz was originally approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in November 2012. It was later approved for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (December 2017) and ulcerative colitis (May 2018).
The drug is designed to slow down Janus kinase enzymes (JAK enzymes) to help reduce inflammation, which can cause conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. The Xeljanz website says approximately 132,000 people in the U.S. received a prescription for Xeljanz for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis between January 2013 and July 2018.
Xeljanz may increase the risk of cancer because it is manipulating the JAK enzymes that control both the growth and spread of new cells.
Contact Phillips Law Group to Discuss a Possible Xeljanz Lawsuit
Drug companies like Pfizer have deep pockets, and they are prepared to fight hard to avoid accountability for the injuries their products may cause. While you may believe you have a strong case over the injuries you suffered after taking Xeljanz, you need an experienced lawyer with the resources to pursue a case like this.
Phillips Law Group’s founder Jeff Phillips works closely with lawyers around the nation on cases involving defective drugs and other defective products. He is also a member of The National Trial Lawyers Association ”“ Top 100.
There are no upfront fees for our services, which means meeting with us carries no financial risk to you. Our firm is committed to aggressively pursuing compensation for those injured by the negligence of others.
Millions Recovered. No Upfront Fees. Phone: 602-222-2222