First approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on July 2, 2009, Multaq (dronedarone) is an oral medication prescribed to treat irregular heartbeats (atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter). Multaq is used in patients who have experienced heartbeat irregularities within the past six months and whose heart rate has normalized or those who undergo treatments to stabilize their heart rate (i.e., via electric shock treatments or the use of other medications). Multaq is produced by Sanofi-Aventis and is safe for patients who may also have a history of stroke, high blood pressure, or diabetes.
Since Multaq’s introduction in the U.S., nearly 500,000 prescriptions have been filled, and tens of thousands more patients have taken Multaq in hospital settings.
Multaq Side Effects
Regardless of its effectiveness, Multaq has been found to double the likelihood of fatality in patients who have congestive heart failure (CHF). Given the severity of Multaq side effects, the FDA has mandated that all Multaq packaging and advertising contain a Black Box warning “ the strongest FDA warning that precedes a drug recall “ to warn patients about the risk of death when taking this medication.
To minimize the risk of sustaining serious Multaq side effects, it is vital that patients disclose their complete medical history to their physicians before starting a course of this drug. Multaq is typically not safe for those who have a history of shortness of breath when sitting or following mild physical activity.
Multaq Liver Injury
Along with its propensity to cause life-threatening, heart-related side effects in CHF patients, Multaq has also been reported to cause severe liver injury, including liver toxicity, acute liver failure, and acute hepatic failure. A study conducted by eHealthme and published in January 2011 indicated that nearly 3 percent of those taking Multaq experienced liver dysfunction and complications while taking this drug. Certain factors, such as the patient’s medical history, age, and gender (along with how long the patient has taken a course of Multaq), will increase the risk of sustaining liver problems when taking Multaq.
Multaq Lawsuits
Those who have experienced any Multaq side effect, as well as families who have lost a loved one due to Multaq-related complications, will have a compelling defective drug claim against Sanofi-Aventis. Multaq lawsuits are defective drug cases aimed at holding Sanofi-Aventis accountable in order to secure compensation for victims’ injuries, losses, pain, and suffering.
Multaq Lawyers
Multaq attorneys welcome victims to learn more about their legal rights and receive a professional evaluation of their case during a free, no obligations initial consultation.
If you or a loved one takes Multaq and suffers a liver-related injury, you should contact us immediately for a free and confidential case review. You may be entitled to compensation and we can help.
