Plavix

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What Is Plavix

Plavix (Generic: Clopidogrel bisulfate) is a popular and expensive drug promoted as a medication that reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.  The manufacturers of Plavix are Bristol-Meyers Squibb Company and Sanofi-Aventis. 

Recent studies have shown that Plavix creates an increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, heart attack, stroke, and death in certain patients. Studies also show that the cost and risk of Plavix does not justify its use in the prevention of coronary artery disease and heart attack.

If you or someone you love experienced bleeding, ulcers, heart attack or stroke while taking Plavix, contact Summers & Johnson, P.C.  for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights.

You should consult your doctor before discontinuing the use of Plavix.

Plavix Risks

Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Plavix users with a history of peptic ulcer disease are 12 times more likely to develop gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers compared with patients taking aspirin and a heartburn pill. New England Journal. Gastrointestinal bleeding can cause severe injury and death.

Heart Attack & Stroke : The combination of Plavix and aspirin nearly doubles the risk of death, heart attack or stroke in patients with high cholesterol and high blood pressure. New England Journal, Topel, Bhatt

If you or someone you love experienced bleeding, ulcers, heart attack or stroke while taking Plavix, call Summers & Johnson, P.C. for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights.

Plavix – A Troubling History

• 9/23/98 - FDA cites violations arising out of Plavix manufacturers’ letter promoting unapproved uses for Plavix and misleading statements that fail to disclose Plavix risks.

• 12/18/98 - FDA cites Plavix maker for violation of federal law for promoting Plavix as “more effective than aspirin” even though there was no substantial evidence to support the claim.

• 5/9/01 - FDA again orders Plavix maker to stop distributing promotional material with unsubstantiated and misleading claims.

• 9/21/01 - FDA Warning Letter.FDA determines that Plavix manufacturers failed to submit “serious and unexpected” adverse drug experience reports to FDA in violation of federal law.

• 11/20/02 - Journal of the American Medical Association study shows increased risk of major bleeding with Plavix .

• 6/17/03 - Chinese study shows that the use of Plavix causes an increased risk of bleeding.

• 9/29/03 - FDA recommends change in Plavix label to include a warning that Plavix prolongs bleeding time.

• July 2004 - MATCH study shows Plavix patients experienced significantly more life-threatening hemorrhages compared with those on placebo.

• 1/20/05 - Chan study shows that Plavix is associated with an unacceptable risk of recurrent ulcer bleeding New England Journal

• 4/25/05 - FDA recommends extending the list of adverse reactions on Plavix label.

• 10/14/05 - FDA again recommends extending the list of adverse reactions on Plavix label.

• 3/13/06 - CHARISMA study urges doctors to stop prescribing Plavix and aspirin to patients who have not had a previous heart attack or stroke because of excess bleeding and death associated with the combination therapy. Health Day, HHS

• 4/20/06 - Use of Plavix and aspirin does not effectively reduce the risk of a second heart attack, and nearly doubles the risk of death, heart attack or stroke in those with no history of heart disease. New England Journal, Topel, Bhatt

• 4/20/06 - Cost and risk of Plavix does not justify its use for prevention of coronary artery disease and heart attack. New England Journal, Pfeffer and Jarcho

• 6/10/06 - Study stopped early because those on aspirin were shown to have significantly lower risk of major bleed. The Lancet.

• Today - Plavix is still on the market. Millions of people take Plavix every day.

If you or someone you love experienced bleeding, ulcers, heart attack or stroke while taking Plavix, call Summers & Johnson, P.C.  for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights.

Consult your doctor before you discontinue any medication. 

With offices in Kansas City, Missouri, and Weston, Missouri, the attorneys at Summers and Johnson handle personal injury lawsuits for clients in Kansas City Metro, including Kansas City Missouri, Jefferson City, Grandview, Columbia, Independence, St. Louis, Springfield, Warrensburg, St. Joseph, Lees Summit, Branson, and Joplin.

Johnson County, Platte County, Buchanan County, Jackson County, Johnson County, Atchison County, Wyandotte County, Cass County.