When a patient receives a prescription drug from the doctor, that patient generally believes that the doctor is acting in his or her best interest and would not be prescribing the medication if it was too dangerous or if its risks outweigh the benefits for the condition.

For patients taking a popular medication approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions, they may not realize that deaths from Actemra are a possibility. In fact, their doctors may have no idea that there have been reported deaths from Actemra because information about certain reported complications does not appear on the product’s label or in its marketing materials.

Side Effects from Actemra

Actemra (toclizumab) is a medication designed to reduce pain and swelling in sufferers diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. It works by blocking a body substance known as interleukin-6, a substance that typically causes inflammation. By blocking the inflammatory substance, inflammation is reduced. The medication is given by injection weekly or biweekly, or is administered via an intravenous infusion on a monthly basis.

In addition to its FDA-approved use of treating rheumatoid arthritis, Actemra is also prescribed in an off-label fashion by physicians to treat more than 60 other conditions. Among these conditions are Crohn’s disease and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as well as other inflammatory or autoimmune conditions.

A number of side effects have been associated with the use of Actemra, and some of these side effects aren’t mentioned on the product’s label. These side effects include heart attack, stroke, lung disease, heart failure, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, gastrointestinal perforation, and infection. All of these conditions can be very serious and may be the potential catalyst for deaths from Actemra.

A recent article from STAT indicated that its investigation found 1,128 reports filed with the FDA at the time of the investigation that stated that individuals died after taking Actrema. At last count, more than 760,000 patients worldwide are currently taking this medication, the article states.

In the STAT article, Boston University rheumatologist Dr. David Felson is quoted as saying, “I can foresee the possibility that in five years there’s another hearing like the one on Vioxx, where the cardiologists … say to us, what were you guys thinking when you approved this drug?”

Studies conducted on Actemra have indicated that those who take the drug have an increased risk of heart attack at 1.5 times those taking a competitor medication, Enbrel. Another study of 5,000 individuals who took the medication in Japan found that 15 had died. Although causation cannot be inferred from this type of study, it has raised questions in light of other reports of serious side effects and deaths.

Taking Legal Action over Side Effects from Actemra

If you or a loved one has developed severe side effects as a result of taking Actemra including heart attack, stroke, lung disease, heart failure, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, gastrointestinal perforation, infection or any other conditions that may result in subsequent deaths from Actemra you may be able to seek legal compensation for your injuries.

An experienced attorney familiar with the process of litigation over pharmaceutical drugs can provide you with a free, confidential, no-obligation case review to go over the details of your unique situation and to inform you of your opportunities to take further legal action.

In general, Actemra lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.

Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual lawsuit or class action lawsuit is best for you. Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.

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