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Permax

In March 2007, the Parkinson’s disease drug Permax (pergolide) was pulled from the market as a result of safety concerns. This move was prompted by two studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine showing that Permax and another drug—Dostinex—raised the risk of heart valve damage, or cardiac valvulopathy.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cardiac valvulopathy after taking Permax and you would like to speak with an attorney about your legal rights, please contact us today.

About Permax

Permax gained approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1988 to manage the symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease and Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). Since that time, the drug became one of the most widely prescribed Parkinson’s drugs on the market. In 2006 alone, more than 12,000 prescriptions were written for Permax.

Permax Black Box Warning

The link between cardiac valvulopathy and Permax was first discovered in 2002. In 2003, the FDA asked Eli Lilly to add the condition to the list of warnings on the drug’s labeling. At that time, the FDA issued a safety alert on Permax stating that a number of Permax patients developed cardiac valvulopathy—a life-threatening condition in which the heart valves leak.

Several years later in 2006, the FDA ordered Lilly add a black box warning—the strongest level of warning—to Permax’s labeling to highlight the risk of cardiac valvulopathy. As of 2007, more than 12 Parkinson’s patients have required heart valve replacement after taking Permax.

Benefits Not Outweighed by Risks

The FDA has determined that the risks associated with Permax use do not outweigh the benefits and Eli Lilly agreed to pull the drug from the U.S. market. Still, this move came too late for the many who took Permax and suffered severe side effects.

Your Legal Rights

If you or someone you love developed heart valve damage while taking Permax, it is in your best interests to consult with an attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can evaluate the circumstances of your case and determine whether or not you’re eligible to take legal action against the maker of Permax. Through legal action, you may be able to recover your financial losses as well as compensation for your pain and suffering, among other things.

Contact us today to arrange a complimentary consultation with an experienced attorney who can help you explore your legal options.

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