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Neurontin Side Effects

Neurontin entered the U.S. market in February 1994 as a powerful epilepsy drug. From mid 1995 to 2001, Neurontin experienced remarkable growth of off-label sales, a practice that has been beneficial over the years in sparking medical innovations. While a common practice, the risks of doing so are becoming more scrutinized. Pfizer Inc. has just pleaded guilty to a two count criminal information charging the company with violating the FDA with misbranding Neurontin. The company has been sentenced to pay a $240 million criminal fine, amounting to the second largest criminal fine in a health care fraud prosecution.

Up to 40 percent of all prescriptions written every year are for off-label purposes, but Pfizer 's strategic marketing plans have shown that Neurontin was aggressively marketed to treat things not FDA approved. This off-label promotion is illegal and a company must state its intended use of a drug in a new drug application to the FDA in order to push it for other uses. Over the years, Neurontin has been promoted by Pfizer as an effective treatment of bipolar mental disorder, pain disorders, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, attention deficit disorder, migraines, drug and alcohol withdrawal seizures, restless leg syndrome, and as a first line monotherapy treatment for epilepsy.

The FDA had previously rejected Neurontin as an effective monotherapy drug treatment for epileptic seizures after scientific study had shown it to be ineffective. Pfizer continued to implement various marketing and sales approaches to illegally promote Neurontin for off-label uses, including making misleading statements about the drug. As a result, the popularity of Neurontin for off-label uses was influenced by Pfizer's unproven and unsubstantiated claims, and doctors and patients may not have appropriately weighed possible benefits and risks for Neurontin side effects.

Pfizer 's ability to implement a coordinated national effort for an off-label marketing plan has misled the medical community and may have greatly impacted the number of adverse effects suffered by Neurontin patients receiving the prescription based off of false claims. The "illegal and fraudulent promotion scheme" has been putting Neurontin patients at risks for dangerous Neurontin side effects. It has been estimated that 90 percent of Neurontin's $2.7 billion in sales during the first year was because of off-label uses.

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More Neurontin Resources

Neurontin Side Effects - Legal rights and information for patients suffering from the side effects of neurontin.

Neurontin - Prescribing and product information on Neurontin, including side effects, uses and other commonly asked questions.

Neurology.org - Articles and information on partial seizures.