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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.