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Permax Heart Risk

Permax heart risks have resulted in two recalls — one in Canada, where the FDA's Canadian equivalent, Health Canada, ordered that the drug be taken off the market as of August 30, 2007. Permax was recalled from the U.S. market in March 2007.

The drug’s heart risks were documented in the January 2007 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine, with two studies describing the cardiac valve damage that can develop in patients treated with Permax. "Valvular insufficiency," or leaky heart valves, was found to be many times more likely in Permax-treated patients than in the general population.

Heart Valve Insufficiency

The four valves of the heart act as flaps that let the blood through one way, then close to prevent the blood from flowing back in the wrong direction. When valvular insufficiency exists, the valves do not close properly; they leak. This forces the heart to pump harder to circulate blood, a condition that can lead to heart failure or heart attack.

Symptoms of Permax Heart Risks

The symptoms of Permax-linked heart risks include:

  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Heart palpitations
  • Weakness or dizziness
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Rapid weight gain
  • Swelling of the ankles, feet, or abdomen

If you are experiencing these symptoms, seek medical care immediately.

Valvular insufficiency is a serious medical condition that is treated with valve replacement, an operation that involves open-heart surgery. Patients who have been treated with Permax should undergo a cardiac evaluation and an echocardiogram to check their heart health.

Permax for Parkinson's Disease and RLS

About half a million people have been treated with Permax in the United States since its introduction in 1989. The FDA approved Permax for the tremors caused by Parkinson's disease, and Permax also came to be widely prescribed for the neurological disorder known as Restless Leg Syndrome, or RLS—a condition characterized by a troubling and irresistible need to move the legs when they're at rest.

Children, RLS, and Permax

Whereas Parkinson's disease strikes mostly elderly and middle-aged individuals, RLS affects people of all ages. A study published in the August 2007 issue of Pediatrics noted that in a survey of more than 10,000 families, 2% of the 8- to 17-year-old children had symptoms of RLS. It is not known how many children have been treated with Permax for RLS, but if your child has been given Permax, a cardiac evaluation is definitely advisable in light of the Permax heart risks documented in adults.

Talk with a Permax Lawyer

If Permax has been administered to you or your child for any length of time, a consultation with your physician and testing for Permax heart risks is a good idea. You can also talk with a Permax lawyer to discuss your legal rights and options. An experienced attorney can explain the relevant product liability issues and help you determine your best course of action.

More Permax Resources