In a recent landmark decision, the Supreme Court refused to hear a claim from pharmaceutical giant Johnson and Johnson alleging that a rival company stole its drug technology. Johnson & Johnson originally sued Abbott Laboratories for $1.67 billion, saying that Abbott infringed on its Humira patents. Humira, with sales of nearly $8 billion last year, is Abbott’s best-selling drug. The controversial medication is used to treat a variety of conditions, including Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis. While we’ll never know for sure what went into the Supreme Court’s decision, I certainly hope the judges took Kara Mae Pletan into consideration. Pletan, who took Humira for Crohn’s disease, is one of dozens of people who’ve come forward saying that Humira causes severe nerve damage. “Perhaps Humira is…efficacious in the treatment of Crohn’s Disease,” said Pletan’s court papers, filed in Cook County, IL, where Abbott is located. “However, it is an… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Humira
Subscribe to Humira RSS FeedMemphis Man Sues Abbott, Saying Humira Caused Histoplasmosis
Posted in Humira[CAPTION: Fred Delano says Humira weakened his immune system, therefore leaving him vulnerable to histoplasmosis. (Photo Courtesy of the Memphis Flyer)] For people living in the Mississippi River Valley, histoplasmosis remains a fairly serious threat. Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection spread by airborne spores. It’s especially prevalent in places with bird droppings, such as bat caves and chicken coops. Though Fred Delano worked in an advertising agency, he claims he contracted histoplasmosis as a result of taking the Abbott Laboratories drug Humira. Delano, who lives in Memphis, said he began taking Humira in late 2008 to help with his arthritis. Within months, Delano began experiencing bizarre symptoms, including night sweats, migraine headaches and pronounced weight loss. Fearing for his life, Delano checked himself into a hospital in February 2009. After conducting several tests, doctors diagnosed Delano with the most severe form of histoplasmosis, called “disseminated histoplasmosis.” Delano believes Humira weakened… Continue Reading
Multiple Lawsuits Claim Abbott’s Humira Caused Vision Loss & Neurological Injury
Posted in Dangerous Drugs, HumiraTwo separate lawsuits are alleging that Abbott Laboratories’ best-selling Humira drug, used to treat Crohn’s disease, caused lasting nerve damage in patients’ feet and eyes. The first lawsuit, filed in April by Kara Mae Pletan of Montana, claims that Humira was responsible for “stabbing pains and hypersensitivity” in her feet. “The progression of the nerve damage seems to have stopped [after ceasing Humira injections],” Pletan said in court documents. “But the nerve damage appears to be permanent.” According to the Humira lawsuit papers, Pletan began developing severe nerve problems during her third month of Humira treatment in 2008. Along with suing Abbott for peripheral neuropathy (painful numbness in feet), Pletan claims that the pharmaceutical giant knowingly withheld information about the side effects of Humira. “Abbott has downplayed the risk of side effects, including the very real risk of permanent neuropathy,” said Pletan’s lawyer, Andy Vickery. The second lawsuit, filed in… Continue Reading
FDA Issues Warning About Humira, Saying Drug May Pose Cancer Risk to Teens
Posted in HumiraA recent warning issued on the FDA’s Web site says Humira, a drug used to treat Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases, may put teens at risk for developing cancer. “The FDA continues to receive reports of a rare cancer of white blood cells, primarily in adolescents and young adults being treated for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, with medicines known as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers,” the FDA said in its statement. “[We] believe the risks and benefits of using TNF blockers…should be carefully weighed when prescribing these drugs to children and young adults.” Humira, first developed in 2002 by Abbott Laboratories, helps block “TNF,” a protein in the body that causes inflammation. (TNF stands for “tumor necrosis factor.”) Excess TNF causes common symptoms of Crohn’s disease, like abdominal pain and diarrhea. Other “TNF blocker” medications include Remicade, Enbrel, Cimzia and Simponi. TNF blockers are also referred… Continue Reading
Multiple Lawsuits Claim Abbott’s Humira Caused Permanent Nerve Damage
Posted in HumiraTwo separate lawsuits are alleging that Abbott Laboratories’ best-selling Humira drug, used to treat a variety of medical conditions including arthritis and Crohn’s disease, caused lasting nerve damage in patients’ feet, eyes— and complete neurological system. The first lawsuit, filed in April by Kara Mae Pletan of Montana, claims that Humira was responsible for “stabbing pains and hypersensitivity” in her feet. “The progression of the nerve damage seems to have stopped [after ceasing Humira injections],” Pletan said in court documents. “But the nerve damage appears to be permanent.” According to lawsuit papers, Pletan began developing severe nerve problems during her third month of Humira treatment in 2008. Along with suing Abbott for peripheral neuropathy (painful numbness in feet), Pletan claims that the pharmaceutical giant, Abbott, knowingly withheld information about the side effects of Humira. “Abbott has downplayed the risk of side effects, including the very real risk of permanent… Continue Reading
Research Supports The Connection Between Humira Usage And Development Of Cancer In Children
Posted in Dangerous Drugs, HumiraI recently met with a family who’s teenage daughter developed multiple lesions on her lungs and significant vision loss after taking Humira for treatment of her Crohn’s Disease. Turns out, her situation is not unique. A substantial number of children, teens and adults who have taken Humira for various types of arthritis and other types of inflammatory conditions have now developed cancer and other debilitating neurological complications within several years of their usage. Lawyers are currently investigating how much knowledge Humira’s manufacturer, Abbott Laboratories, had with respect the increased risk of cancer in the drugs users. However, the medical community has now conclusively established a connection between Humira usage and cancer, infection and autoimmune disorders. Use of Humira (generic name Adalimunab and a similar drug Remicade) has been linked to a significant rise in the development of the following types of cancers: Lung tumors Skin Gastrointestinal Breast Lymphoma Leukemia… Continue Reading