Actemra is an arthritis drug that has been linked to hundreds of deaths and reports of side effects that are not on the label, such as heart failure and pancreatitis.
Need a Texas Actemra Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with a severe side effect, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
What is Actemra?
Actemra® contains tocilizumab, an anti-inflammatory injection treatment for adults with rheumatoid arthritis. When it was approved in January 2010, Genentech/Roche did not warn about cardiovascular side effects on the label, unlike most competing arthritis drugs.
Investigators Find Hundreds of Actemra Deaths
Actemra is a drug for rheumatoid arthritis that has been linked to 1,128 deaths. Hundreds of those deaths were caused by cardiovascular events or pulmonary disease. These side effects are not on the label. Actemra’s label does not carry warnings about heart attacks or strokes, unlike other arthritis drugs. For example, Enbrel carries a prominent “Boxed Warning” about heart failure.
Actemra Linked to Side Effects Not on the Label
Investigators with STAT reviewed over 500,000 reports of people on arthritis drugs who experienced side effects, including 13,500 for Actemra.
They identified 1,128 patients who died while taking Actemra, including hundreds who suffered cardiovascular events. The label on Actemra does not warn about cardiovascular side effects, but the risk appeared to be equal or even higher compared to other drugs:
“[STAT] found clear evidence that the risks of heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and other conditions were as high or higher for Actemra patients than for patients taking some competing drugs.”
Study Finds 50% Higher Risk of Heart Attack
The label on the arthritis drug Enbrel prominently warns that it can cause or worsen cardiovascular disease. Actemra does not. However, a head-to-head study found that Actemra patients had 50% more heart attacks and strokes than Enbrel patients.
Interstitial Lung Disease & Pancreatitis
STAT investigators also identified hundreds of reports of Actemra patients who developed interstitial lung disease or pancreatitis (pancreas inflammation). These side effects were first identified by the FDA during one of several safety reviews of Actemra.
The experts recommended that the “FDA should immediately consider warnings for heart failure and pancreatitis.”
What is the problem?
The Clark Firm, LLP is nationally recognized as a class action law firm in Texas, but our attorneys are not filing a class action lawsuit for victims of Actemra. Instead, we are filing individual lawsuits against Genenetech/Roche for people who experienced severe side effects, such as:
- Heart failure
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Pancreatitis
- Interstitial lung disease
- Death
About Class Actions
Class action lawsuits are a useful way for a lot of people to seek compensation for similar legal claims. A good example would be a refund for a product that was falsely advertised. However, class actions are not usually used for lawsuits involving drug side effects.
Why Our Law Firm is Filing Individual Lawsuits as Opposed to a Class Action
The problem with class actions is that everyone in the lawsuit must share the payout. This can be a disadvantage for people with far more serious injuries than the average plaintiff. The other problem is that members may have to accept a “low-ball” settlement or higher fees.
Our lawyers are filing individual lawsuits instead of a class action. We focus on holding drug-makers accountable for failing to warn about side effects. If you were injured by Actemra, you could be entitled to compensation for your pain, suffering, medical expenses, and more.
Need a Actemra Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our Texas Actemra lawyers for a free lawsuit review.
To contact us for a free review of your potential case, please fill out the form below or call us toll free 24 hrs/day by dialing: