Have you suffered severe side effects after taking Avastin?

In 2005, the FDA approved Avastin for treatment of colorectal cancer.  Since that time, it has also been approved for use as a treatment for other types of cancer including lung cancer, breast cancer, brain cancer, and kidney cancer.  Avastin recently lost approval for treatment of breast cancer because it was found that side effects far out-weighed the effectiveness of the medication.

Avastin is the first FDA approved drug of its kind.  It works differently than other cancer drugs.  Avastin does not allow new blood vessels to be formed, and at the same time, inhibits the growth of cancerous tissues.  Studies have shown that a person with colorectal cancer who takes Avastin along with the standard chemotherapy drugs may extend their life for up to five months.

Avastin was put on the fast-track to approval by the FDA.  This means that the drug was approved for the public to use while clinical trials were still going on.  The FDA reserves the right to revoke approval if necessary throughout the clinical trial process.  This is done so that people in desperate need of life-saving medications can get it sooner.

 

Serious Side Effects Associated with Avastin

Avastin has been linked to many side effects in patients that may potentially outweigh the benefits of the medication against cancer.  In some instances, patients were blinded after using Avastin to treat eye disease, which is not an FDA approved treatment.  Patients taking Avastin have suffered:

  • Severe high blood pressure
  • Bleeding and hemorrhaging
  • Heart attack
  • Heart failure
  • Perforations in nose, stomach, intestines
  • Ovarian failure
  • Venous thrombolic events
  • Osteonecrosis of the jaw

 

Legal Choices

If you have suffered severe side effects after taking the anti-cancer medication Avastin, you may have a case.  It is important to contact our attorneys right away to determine the best course of action for your personal situation.