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Serevent is an asthma drug, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, and approved by the Food and Drugs Administration in 1994. After initial approval Serevent was also extended for use in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary heart disease. This medication became quickly popular and claimed to provide up to twelve hours of relief to asthma sufferers. However, tests have indicated that the drug puts users at increased risk of actually dying from their asthma. The increase in risk was threefold compared to asthma patients on other medications.
If so, you may have a possible legal case against the manufacturer of the potentially dangerous drug or medical product. Simply fill out the short form below and an experienced legal expert will contact you as soon as possible!
Following concerns from the FDA, GlaxoSmithKline carried out a study in 1996. However, after a number of test subjects suffered asthma-related deaths during the course of the investigation, the study was terminated prematurely. Other subjects had to have tubes inserted to unblock their airways after suffering serious breathing difficulties. It was shown that the highest risk factors from Serevent use were to African Americans, and also to patients who were not using an additional medication to reduce inflammation.
Following the termination of the study, the FDA ordered GlaxoSmithKline to revise the packaging of the product to include a black box warning, which is the most severe warning possible. However, even by December 2003, no such warning had been added and no further information had been made available with regards to when this warning would be added.
With many patients relying on Serevent on a daily basis for their asthma control, the potentially fatal side effects raised concern throughout the medical world. Researchers claim that the medication actually triggers asthma attacked, which can prove fatal, and this is what put users at three times the risk as other patients of suffering an asthma-related death. In defence of the medication, the FDA and Glaxo insisted that the side effects of Serevent were outweighed by the benefits of this medication.
Claims have been made that Glaxo did not issue sufficient warning with regards to the possible side effects of Serevent, leaving many patients to take this medication and put their lives at risk without being aware of the possible risks. This was made worse by the fact that Glaxo did not comply with the FDA’s order to add the black box warning to Serevent packaging.
Those adversely affected by Serevent can seek assistance from a drugs litigation lawyer, who can then gather the relevant details and put together a solid case with a view to claiming compensation. The settlement received for this type of claim could be quite hefty, depending on the extent of harm or injury caused by Serevent. The compensation would cover any medical expenses incurred as a result of taking Serevent, as well as pain and suffering caused by this drug.
Many lawyers do not specialize in drug litigation, and if you have suffered ill effects from taking Serevent you should try and seek assistance from a specialist lawyer who may have dealt with Serevent lawsuits in the past. This could speed up the time it takes to make your claim, as an experience Serevent lawyer will already have access to a great deal of relevant information and resources. This could also increase your chances of success, as the lawyer you use may have already come across the various pitfalls associated with a Serevent lawsuit and will therefore know what to look out for.
If you are unsure as to whether you have grounds for a claim, you should still contact a Serevent lawyer. In most cases, the initial consultation is free of charge, and this will enable you to determine whether you have a solid case and whether you are eligible to claim compensation for harm or injury caused by Serevent.