Digitek lawsuits have been filed and more cases are coming
Less than two months after a Digitek recall was issued due to manufacturing problems that allowed double strength tablets to be commercially released, at least three lawsuits have been filed. A number of additional cases are expected to be filed in the coming weeks, as hundreds of potential cases are currently being investigated throughout the country by individuals who are trying to determine if they may be entitled to compensation through a Digitek lawsuit.
The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. began receiving calls from individuals with potential cases within days of the April 25th Digitek recall. Many people have described problems that surfaced during the months around the recall, but some have reported problems consistent with a Digitek overdose as early as 2006. Since the manufacturer has released very little information about the extent of the Digitek problems, all cases are being reviewed to determine if injuries could have caused by the manufacturing problems.
Digitek is a generic form of digoxin, which is prescribed to treat heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. Overmedication could increase the risk of a serious and potentially fatal illness, known as Digitalis Toxicity. This occurs when the body is unable to eliminate the medication through the kidney, producing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, cardiac instability and bradycardia (or slow heartbeat).
By selling pills that were twice as thick as they were supposed to be, the manufacturer exposed users to twice the active medication. Consumers rely on drug makers and distributors to have quality checks in place to prevent these types problems. By allowing multiple lots of Digitek to be sold which potentially contains double strength tablets, thousands of people could have been seriously injured.
Digitek is manufactured by Actavis Totowa, which is based out of New Jersey, and it was distributed by Mylan Pharmaceuticals of Pennsylvania and UDL Laboratories of Illinois. It is likely that many more Digitek lawsuits will be filed in different federal and state courts in the coming weeks. In addition, a petition will probably be filed in the near future to consolidate the federal cases in an MDL, or Multi-District Litigation, for pre-trial proceedings, which allows a large number of individual cases to be coordinated in a manner similar to how a Digitek class action would be handled.
REVIEW A DIGITEK LAWSUIT
If you, a friend or family member have taken Digitek and suffered symptoms of Digitalis Toxicity, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
7 Comments • Add Your Comments
steven says:
i saw the info on tv. of a possible law claim. i have been on lanoxin (DIGOXIN)since 2003 for heart valve replacement. during this time frame i will list: blurry vision,heart stop at nite while asleep, sleep problems,more urination at nite,heavy yellow urine (dehydration),lost of weight..appeptite,mental agravation no patience,depression,low blood pressure,aches left arm to right feet,pain in hands,difficult breathing especially if doing any excercise,tired vision especially sensitive to sun light,hands feet figity,anxiety..these are only what i can recall right now. before i was on lanoxin i had none of these problems and now at 58 yrs i have more than once thought these problems could very well be associated to prescription drugs i am on causing this. the heart surgeon john matthews noted in his surgical report (which jackson madison medical hospital in jackson tn.)gave his overall medical review in a 51 page report that i was in extreme and in extra ordinary condition with the acceptions of two major heart valve replacement when he performed the surgery.the majority of these problems surfaced more recently than pass.
Posted on June 16, 2008 at 9:15 am
Austin Kirk says:
Steven,
This recall only applies to Digitek (digoxin). All forms of digoxin could carry a risk of digitalis toxicity, but the problem with the Digitek is that some of the pills sold were twice as thick as they were supposed to be and contained more of the active pharmaceutical ingredient than was appropriate, substantially increasing the risk of digitalis toxicity.
Posted on June 23, 2008 at 9:14 am
Nancy says:
My mother was on Digitek and suffered all the toxicity symptoms of this dangerous medication. She died on June 7, 2008 because of this medication and the result of her cardiologists not recognizing these symptoms and not treating her for same. She did not have to die! Bot her cardiologist’s office and the pharmacy where she bought her meds for 30 years blame each other for not calling her to inform her of the recall. I want to know just whose responsibility was it to call – the physician who wrote out the script for Lanoxin or the pharmacist who told her to buy Digitek instead because it was cheaper when in fact Mom only saved $.25 a month by buying the Digitek! What savings, but a price to pay – her life!
Posted on June 26, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Katherine says:
I was taking digoxin during this same time frame. I think there was also a problem before that just no one caught it. My cardiologist could not figure out what was causing my severe irregular heart beat, which was causeing me alot of problems. I suffered dizziness and loss of speach almost like stroke symtoms because my heart was beating so irregular & for no apparent reason. My drug store sent a letter saying I may have been given this bad medication. I quit taking it completely and have not suffered from irregular heart beat any more but I can tell that there have been some change in my heart. I can no longer sleep on my right side for one thing, and I have been having problems with kidneys.
Posted on November 8, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Lisa says:
Do you think the recall applied to the generic form of the medication only, or did it also apply to the name brand Digoxin? I have a friend who was taking Digoxin and experienced a multitude of side effects.
Posted on January 15, 2009 at 5:10 pm