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Raptiva Drug

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Generically known as efalizumab, Raptiva is an injectable medication used in the treatment of psoriasis. To reduce the presence of psoriasis plaques, Raptiva medication suppresses the immune system and prevents white blood cells from making their way into the skin's tissues.

The Raptiva drug is produced by Genentech and Merck Serono.

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an incurable, non-contagious skin condition in which scaly red patches (plaques) form on the skin, particularly on the:

• elbows
• genitals
• knees
• scalp

Thought to be caused by genetic factors, psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, meaning that plaques form as a result of the immune system overreacting to the body's own harmless tissues. Stress, smoking and alcohol abuse can aggravate and inflame psoriasis plaques.

Raptiva Side Effects

Despite being an effective psoriasis treatment, Raptiva is known to have some severe, potentially fatal side effects including:

• Bacterial sepsis, an infection of the blood
• Lymphoma, a cancer affecting the lymph nodes (the glands located throughout the body that filter bacteria and malignant cells from the body)
• Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), swelling of the brain's white matter
• Viral meningitis, an infection that results in brain and spinal cord inflammation.

While some of these Raptiva side effects, such as lymphoma, are incurable, all are life threatening and will result in death without immediate medical care.

Raptiva patients should seek emergency medical attention, should they develop any of the following symptoms of Raptiva drug infections:

• burning or difficult urination
• chills
• congestion
• coughing
• fever
• pain
• redness
• sore throat
• swelling

Risk Factors for Raptiva Infections and Other Side Effects

Raptiva drug infections are more likely to occur in patients with a history of:

• chronic infections
• receiving phototherapy (the use of light to treat jaundice, acne, etc.)
• taking immunosuppressant drugs (such as medications taken after organ transplants)

Other factors that can increase the chances that Raptiva patients develop potentially fatal side effects include:

• receiving vaccines
• interacting with individuals recently vaccinated with a "live" vaccine (such as the flu shot or polio vaccine), as these viruses can be passed on to Raptiva patients

Following Raptiva Side Effects

Injured patients should:

• Seek emergency medical treatment.
• Follow through with all long-term prescribed treatments.
• Once their health is stable, meet with a personal injury lawyer who specializes in Raptiva lawsuits.

Injured Raptiva patients, as well as families of deceased Raptiva patients, will be entitled to compensation for their losses including:

• funeral and burial costs
• lost wages
• medical bills
• pain and suffering

If You Have Been Injured by Raptiva

Have you or a loved one been injured after taking Raptiva? If so, contact us to speak with an experienced Raptiva attorney who specializes in drug recall litigation & lawsuits. Let us help you win the compensation you need and deserve.