call now
(617) 391-9001
Injectafer, the iron deficiency IV injection prescribed to treat patients with iron deficiency anemia, has been linked to significant adverse side effects – including hypophosphatemia. The manufacturer of Injectafer (American Regent, Inc.), failed to warn consumers of the serious risks this treatment could impose on patients. Now, the company is facing lawsuits for cases of severe hypophosphatemia (HPP) relating to Injectafer. If you were prescribed Injectafer and developed HPP, you may be eligible for compensation.
Table of Contents
Injectafer is the brand name for ferric carboxymaltose, a product that replaces iron. Physicians use it to treat patients with iron deficiency anemia, or a lack of red blood cells due to low iron levels. A healthy person will receive enough iron from the foods that he or she eats to produce red blood cells and supply oxygen throughout the body.
Someone with iron deficiency anemia may have lost blood or failed to get enough iron in food, resulting in a loss of blood cells. Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include weakness, fatigue, dizziness, pale skin, headaches, and nails that break easily. Once a doctor diagnoses a patient with iron deficiency anemia, treatments can vary. The patient may receive iron supplements to increase red blood cell levels or a blood transfusion for severe cases.
If oral iron replacement medicines and supplements don’t work, treatment may move to Injectafer. Injectafer is an iron replacement solution that works intravenously. Patients typically receive two doses of Injectafer, one week apart. The listed side effects for Injectafer include nausea, dizziness, high blood pressure, flushing, low phosphorous levels, and high iron levels stored in the body. The manufacturer makes no mention of the possibility of severe HPP as a side effect of Injectafer.
HPP occurs when a patient’s phosphate levels drop abnormally low. Severe HPP is the most dangerous form of this condition. Severe HPP can cause:
A patient with severe HPP has about four times the mortality rate as someone with low-severity HPP. If left untreated, this condition can lead to heart failure, delirium, coma, and death. Patients who suffer from severe HPP may recover through phosphate injections.
Although normally a rare condition, more and more patients who received Injectafer are reporting cases of severe HPP. Studies into Injectafer since 2013 suggest a connection between this treatment and severe HPP. Data from 2017 upholds this theory, stating that the highest risk for the development of HPP relates to the active ingredient in Injectafer – ferric carboxymaltose. In light of these studies, patients are coming forward with lawsuits against American Regent, Inc., alleging the manufacturer knew or reasonably should have known about the potential for severe HPP, yet the corporation failed to warn consumers.
Drug manufacturers owe stringent duties of care to consumers when designing and producing new drugs. They must test their new drugs and create them according to accepted industry standards. Hiding test results or failing to disclose important information about the potential side effects of a drug is a serious crime that has led to the injuries, illnesses, and deaths of thousands of unsuspecting patients over the years. American Regent, Inc. may be the latest drug manufacturing company to be guilty of keeping consumers in the dark. If so, the company may be liable for paying for patients’ damages.
If your doctor has diagnosed you with severe hypophosphatemia (HPP) after receiving an IV injection of Injectafer, you may be eligible to join in legal action against the drug manufacturer. Explore your rights and legal options with help from the attorneys at Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP. We offer free confidential case evaluations in Boston, Massachusetts. Discuss your case with us today or call (617)-391-9001 for more information about Injectafer lawsuits.
