A Zinbryta lawsuit investigation has been launched against drug manufacturers Biogen and Abbvie, after numerous patients allegedly needed to undergo encephalitis treatment following use of Zinbryta.

The multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment drug Zinbryta has been recently linked to this deadly condition, with many patients reportedly requiring encephalitis treatment after being prescribed the drug.

Encephalitis is brain inflammation which occurs mostly from bacterial or viral infection. In other cases, encephalitis can result from an adverse autoimmune reaction or adverse drug reactions.

Encephalitis treatment often requires urgent hospitalization care, typically in the intensive care unit due to the severity of the condition’s symptoms. Encephalitis treatment typically begins with identifying the underlying cause of the condition which determines the next steps in the treatment process.

If encephalitis is caused by a viral infection, patients are often given antiviral medication up three times a day for three weeks. If caused by a bacterial infection, encephalitis treatment often consists of antibiotics or antifungal medications.

If it is caused by an adverse immune reaction, steroid injections or immunoglobulin therapy is implemented to help control the immune system if steroids do not work. If this does not work, plasmapheresis may be needed to remove substances from the blood that may be attacking the brain.

The most extreme encephalitis treatment is surgery, in which abnormal growths are removed to prevent encephalitis recurrence.

Overview of Zinbryta Encephalitis Correlation

The FDA approved Zinbryta on May 27, 2016, to treat adult patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis not previously responding to more than one MS treatment drugs. Zinbryta works by binding immune cells and reducing the activity of the cells causing problems in the body’s immune system, which makes the symptoms more manageable.

However Zinbryta has been recently associated with encephalitis development, prompting a voluntary global recall form Biogen and Abbvie. The companies opted to do this after patients submitted injury reports indicating encephalitis and meningoencephalitis developed after starting their Zinbryta prescriptions.

Patients who develop encephalitis may develop flu like symptoms, which may last two to three weeks. However, this condition may worsen in serious cases with symptoms including but not limited to:

• Muscle pain or weakness
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Balance and coordination problems
• Disorientation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Delirium or hallucination
• Sensitivity to light
• Seizures
• Death

Depending on the severity of the condition, encephalitis treatment may require patients to stay in the hospital for an extended period of time.

It is important to note that at least 12 cases of Zinbryta encephalitis have been reported around the world, with three of them being fatal. It is also important to note that Zinbryta has been linked to other serious complications including liver failure and Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Zinbryta patients who have recently had to undergo encephalitis treatment, may be eligible to file legal action against Biogen and Abbvie. These patients can file a claim for negligence or failure to warn, seeking compensation related to medical expenses, along with other relevant damages.