Those who suffer Psoriasis often suffer great embarrassment and desperation to get rid of the disorder. Unfortunately, there is no cure for the disease, but in 2003, the FDA approved the medication Raptiva for treatment of the condition. Years later, however, some troubling information has brought to light that the drug that does work well for remitting Psoriasis can cause brain injuries.
Information provided for reference purposes only, contact an experienced FL Product Liability Attorney for additional details.
What is Raptiva?
Since Psoriasis is caused by the immune system incorrectly recognizing the skin as a foreign material and thereby releasing T-cells that launch an immune response resulting in the uncomfortable and distressing plaques of new cell formation, Raptiva works to inactivate the gene that creates the T-cells, thereby stopping the immune response to the body. It is a once weekly injected medication that is effective at preventing severe outbreaks. However, since it is also an immune-suppressant drug, it weakens the immune system and disables its ability to fight off diseases effectively. This, in turn, leads to an increased amount of viral and bacterial infections that the body can usually protect against.
Raptiva and Brain Injury
Several brain diseases have been found to be linked to this medication. Altering the immune system's germ fighting properties leaves the body open to opportunistic infections otherwise fought off. Disease such as Viral Meningitis, not considered fatal with proper medical support, and Septicemia have been indicated as a side effect. Left untreated, the swelling that occurs with Viral Meningitis can lead to brain injury and, possibly, some impairment. Septicemia damages the brain by carrying infected blood to it and allowing for multiple organisms to proliferate in the tissues.
Progressive Multifocal Luekoencephalopathy
PML is a rare and often deadly virus that attacks the myelin of the brain. Many are exposed to it, but symptoms are rarely seen unless the immune system is functioning poorly enough for the virus to overrun the defenses. Symptoms of the disease include degenerating coordination and extremity weakness as well as vision loss and, eventually, should it be left untreated, continual collapse of the neurological system. Survivors are often found to have irreversible brain damage. A higher incidence of this disease was found to present in those who had taken Raptiva for an extended period of time.
Raptiva was voluntarily pulled from the market in 2009 by the company that manufactured it and is no longer available for treatment of Psoriasis. While litigation is pending for this product, please note the intention of the facts provided are meant for information purposes only and are not meant to serve as legal or medical advice of any kind.
