Multiple sclerosis drug Zinbryta has been voluntarily withdrawn from the pharmaceutical market following patient reports of serious side effects, including brain disorders such as encephalitis and meningoencephalitis.

What is Zinbryta?

Zinbryta, first approved by the FDA in May 2016, is a drug meant to help adults with multiple sclerosis manage their condition. Zinbryta is the brand name for the drug daclizumab.

The drug was meant for patients who have tried multiple other MS treatment options without success. It is manufactured by Biogen and AbbVie, who voluntarily announced the recall on March 2, 2018 following several years of customer complaints regarding serious side effects.

The FDA announced the voluntary recall, and assisted in the drug’s withdrawal from the marketplace. As of April 30, 2018, Zinbryta was removed from the market.

Zinbryta Side Effects

Serious Zinbryta side effects have been reported since the multiple sclerosis drug was introduced to the market. These side effects include serious liver injury, liver failure, and serious skin reactions including Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.

Prior to the recall, the FDA had required Zinbryta to add a boxed warning regarding liver injury and immune related disorders to the packaging of the multiple sclerosis drug.

In more serious cases, encephalitis, or inflammation of brain tissue, has been reported. Encephalitis often causes flu-like symptoms, as well as confused thinking, hallucinations, problems with senses and movement, or seizures.

Twelve cases of encephalitis related to Zinbryta have been reported worldwide, and three of these cases have resulted in the death of the patient. Meningoencephalitis, or the swelling of the thin layer of tissue surrounding the brain, has also been reported as a possible side effect of the multiple sclerosis drug.

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is a serious but fairly rare condition that causes the body’s immune system to incorrectly attack itself. The immune system targets the sheath that encases and protects the nerve cells in the central nervous system.

Eventually, the disease causes permanent damage to the nerves, which causes communication issues between the brain and body. This leads to a variety of symptoms and side effects.

Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

According to the Mayo Clinic, multiple sclerosis results in a variety of symptoms, including numbness and weakness in the extremities, vision loss and pain, tingling or sensations that have been described as feeling like an electric shock, general tremor or lack of coordination, slurred speech, dizziness, and fatigue.

It often results in a loss of range of motion, and a loss of fine motor skills. The disease is progressive and usually worsens over time, often with brief periods of remission from symptoms.

If you have been prescribed Zinbryta for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and have suffered encephalitis, liver injury, Stevens Johnson Syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, or another complication, you may be entitled to join a free Zinbryta lawsuit investigation.