Ephedra / Ephedrine & Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) Lawsuit

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Ephedra is an herbal supplement containing the chemical ephedrine which is used as a weight loss aid and energy booster. This stimulant mimics adrenaline in the body, affecting the nervous system and making the individual feel like they have large amounts of energy for a short period of time. Although ephedrine is regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the herbal Ephedra is not because it is classified as a dietary supplement, not a medication. The FDA has released numerous warnings to the healthcare community and to the public warning about the health risks associated with the consumption of Ephedra, citing the hundreds of reports they have received about adverse side effects from taking Ephedra. These side effects include pulmonary arterial hypertension, seizures, heart attacks, strokes, and death.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a serious condition characterized by high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs. This chronic high blood pressure overworks the heart and can cause heart failure in the individuals who have developed the condition. The average survival rate for individuals with pulmonary arterial hypertension is about three years after they have been diagnosed. The length of time is so short because many cases of pulmonary arterial hypertension are not diagnosed until the condition has caused a serious complication that requires hospitalization. The typical symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension are common to many illnesses and are usually mild. Many individuals ignore the symptoms or complain of feeling mildly under the weather, not nearly sick enough to schedule a doctor’s visit. Pulmonary arterial hypertension can cause a large amount of damage to the heart and lungs years before any symptoms of the condition appear.

The deadliness of pulmonary arterial hypertension is attributed to the wide range of complications that can be caused by the condition. One complication, named cor pulmonale, accounts for the majority of fatalities associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Cor pulmonale is a dangerous enlargement of the right side of the heart that causes heart failure. Individuals with pulmonary arterial hypertension also have an increased risk of developing blood clots which can break free and flow through the body, potentially causing a heart attack or stroke. Pulmonary arterial hypertension associated pulmonary edema occurs when the increased blood pressure of the lungs forces fluid into the air sacs of the lungs, inhibiting oxygen from circulating in the body and slowly drowning the individual. Currently, there is no cure available for pulmonary arterial hypertension.

In the years between 1994 and 2002, the FDA logged numerous reports of adverse events linked to Ephedra usage, including many instances of heart disease, nervous system disorders, and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Some of these reports involved the deaths of well known athletes, such as Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler. Due to the link between side effects such as pulmonary arterial hypertension and Ephedra use, the supplement was banned in California, New York, and Illinois in 2003. The FDA followed suit and banned the sale of all supplements containing Ephedra in 2004.

Do I have an Ephedra, Ephedrine or Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Lawsuit?

The Defective Drug Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus exclusively on the representation of plaintiffs in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) and Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (IPAH) lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new Ephedra cases in all 50 states.

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