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Tequin Lawsuit

Tequin Lawsuit

A Brief Guide to Filing a Tequin Lawsuit:

What is Tequin?


Tequin is the brand name of gatifloxacin—an antibiotic belonging to the fluoroquinolone. Tequin, which has been removed from the U.S. market, is used to treat bacterial infections of the sinuses, skin, urinary tract and lungs.
On September 2nd of 2008, the United States Food and Drug Administration issued a notice to confirm the reason that Bristol-Myers Squibb (Tequin’s manufacturer) decided to remove the drug from the market was for safety and effectiveness reasons.

The FDA rendered this decision following numerous clinical trials and reports offered by various organizations, including the Public Citizen Watch group.  Of course, anytime a drug is removed from the market, litigation is expected to ensue. For more information on Tequin lawsuits please read below:


Tequin Side Effects:

Tequin side effects ultimately accelerated the removal of the drug from U.S. markets. Medical attention was required for the following Tequin side effects:

• Common Tequin side effects include: back pain; changes in taste; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; gas; pain or redness at the injection site; sore throat; tiredness; vomiting; lightheadedness

Tequin Side Effects may also be regarded as severe. If you experience any of the following Tequin side effects, please seek immediate medical help:

• Severe Tequin Side Effects Include: tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, lips, face; nightmares; paranoia; blurred vision; pale skin; stomach cramps; severe diarrhea; bloody stools; irregular heartbeat.

FDA Regulations and Tequin Lawsuits:

No longer available for purchase in America, the antibiotic Tequin was subject to a great deal of controversy regarding its potentially harmful effects. In particular, concerns were raised that Tequin side effects included the risk of developing diabetes. Since the drug was discontinued in 2006, it is probably no longer possible to engage in a Tequin lawsuit.

Tequin  was introduced to market in 1999, previous to this time, the United States Food and Drug Adminsitration already issued warnings concerning the risks associated Tequin side effects, particularly heart and kidney damage. Moreover, some reports were issued regarding isolated incidents of hallucination.

In 2005, the public advocacy group Public Citizen issued a warning calling for the medication to be banned. In their statement, they noted that reported Tequin side effects between 2000 and mid-2005 included 20 deaths out of 388 tested patients. These concerns increased in 2006, when a study was published in The New England Journal of Medicine which warned of an increased risk of developing diabetes. This side effect was not reflected in the drug’s warning label, prompting many users to file Tequin lawsuits.

Shortly after the study was published, manufacturer Bristol-Myers Squibb announced they would be pulling the drug from the market. This action; however, did not prevent the filing of a Canadian class action Tequin lawsuit. This Tequin lawsuit concerned diabetes and diabetes-related Tequin side effects. It was filed by an assortment of users who developed the disease after being treated with the drug. These Tequin lawsuits, which resulted in a $5 million settlement, secured compensation to offset the costs associated with the side effect—Tequin lawsuits are commonly filed to offset medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering.


Currently there is no public report of successful Tequin lawsuits. Several claims seeking Tequin settlements were announced by law firms after the drug was removed from the market. For example, in 2007, a Tequin lawsuit on behalf of a Missouri man who developed diabetes was filed—the results of this particular Tequin lawsuit have not been made public.

Because the drug was removed from the market over 4 years ago, the ability to file a Tequin lawsuit is severely limited.  
 
Tequin is still available in the United States as an eye drop solution known as Zymar. This medication; however, has not been associated with any Tequin side effects.

If you would like to explore litigation concerning Tequin side effects, you should schedule a consultation with a pharmaceutical attorney. A proposed Tequin lawsuit should be evaluated by a legal professional to assess the case’s validity and your state’s statute of limitations.


Sources:

1. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/

DrugSafetyInformationforHeathcareProfessionals/ucm085194.htm

2.http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm107821.htm

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