Multaq® (Dronedarone) Hepatic Injury
Dronedarone is a heart medication better known by its brand name Multaq®. Dronedarone has recently been the subject of an FDA warning because it causes severe hepatic injuries. Doctors who have been prescribing Multaq® since its approval in 2009 have been totally unaware of the possibility of hepatic trauma. If you have been taking Multaq® and are experiencing unusual symptoms, you should contact your physician to determine if you have suffered hepatic injuries.
What is Hepatic Injury?
Hepatic injury is a scientific term for any type of liver injury. The liver is one of the most important organs in the functions of the body, as it is essential in removing wastes and toxins, as well as other metabolic processes. Multaq® hepatic injuries are drug induced liver disease.
The symptoms of a liver injury usually include some of the following:
- Exhaustion
- Loss of appetite, anorexia
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever and itching
- Abdominal pain in the upper right quadrant
- Dark urine or light-colored stools
Complications of Hepatic Injury
Liver disease has several other complications that can eventually lead to death. The following are conditions caused by hepatic trauma:
- Coagulopathy - blood is unable to clot, leading to uncontrollable bleeding and hemorrhaging.
- Encephalopathy - brain disorders that are caused by an excess of toxins in the brain. They are usually accompanied by coma, and are the leading cause of death following acute hepatic injury.
- Kidney failure - Kidney failure often follows shortly behind acute hepatic injury due to the kidneys being forced to screen toxins without the help of the liver.
- Liver Failure - at this stage of hepatic injuries a liver transplant is needed to save the patient's life.
Hepatic Injuries Caused by Multaq®
The FDA warning detailed the cases of two people who have suffered acute hepatic injury due to dronedarone. Each had a healthy liver prior to starting Multaq® treatment and suffered severe hepatic trauma within 6 months. Both suffered from hepatic failure and needed a transplanted liver to save their lives.
Contact a Multaq® Lawyer
If you or a loved one has suffered acute hepatic failure or any other form of liver injury as result of taking Multaq®, contact an experienced Multaq® lawyer for help. Our Multaq® advocate for injured patients' needs. We will fight to ensure you recover the full amount of compensation you are entitled to.
