Gadolinium Lawsuits

Gadolinium is an FDA approved contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is also known as gadolinium-DPTA, gadodiamide.

It also goes by various brand names, depending on the pharmaceutical company that makes it:

• Magnevist made by Berlex Laboratories
• Omniscan made by Nycomed Amersham
• ProHance made by Bracco Diagnostics

Gadolinium is silvery white, has a metallic lustre, looks clear like water, is non-radioactive, malleable and ductile. It has the highest thermal neutron capture cross-section of any known element. It is approved by the United States Food and Drug Agency as contrast agent for MRI. Manufacturers have to include a boxed warning on the product labeling of all gadolinium-based contrast agents which are used to enhance the quality of MRI. When injected into a vein, Gadolinium accumulates in the abnormal tissue that may be affecting the body or head causing these abnormal tissues to become very bright and enhanced on the MRI. Gadolinium is then is discharged from the body by the kidneys.

Side effects of Gadolinium include mild headache, nausea and local burning. In rare cares, there can be low blood pressure and lightheadedness.

There are a small number of patients who may be allergic to Gadolinium. They could have hives and itchy eyes if exposed to Gadolinium. More severe reactions can result in shortness of breath. Patients with kidney problems should be extra careful when dealing with Gadolinium. Serious side effects include Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) also known as Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD). Gadolinium can be used on pregnant patients or nursing mothers only when the benefits outweigh the risk.

When you go for an MRI procedure, you don't expect it to result in the development of some rare and debilitating condition. You have the right to know the risks associated with medical procedures you undergo and the drugs you are given. The fact is not many are made aware of the risks before they are injected with a gadolinium based dye prior to an MRI. A medical practitioner can be guilty of medical malpractice if the patient does not give informed consent and the result proves fatal to the patient despite the procedure being performed correctly by the medical practitioner.

Informed consent is a legal condition. A person is said to give informed consent if he has a clear appreciation and understanding of the facts, implications and future consequences of an action.

However, a doctor can not warn of a risk that is hidden from them by the pharmaceutical manufacturer. This is the case with many of the contrast dyes, where there was a known risk and the companies failed to disclose this risk to the doctors. If you need to file a dangerous drugs lawsuit, Anapol Schwartz is a West VA law firm on your side. Anapol Schwartz has a Wheeling attorney (Barry Hill) who can compassionately handle your dangerous drugs lawsuit.

Pharmaceutical products are meant to do good. They are supposed to help people overcome their medical and health problems. Most people are under a false notion that if a pharmaceutical product has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, then it is safe - but that's not always the case. Sometimes, certain pharmaceutical products can react adversely with others producing dangerous side effects. Certain pharmaceutical products pose health risks to certain persons. If the pharmaceutical product has defects or is contaminated or does not contain warnings about possible adverse effect, it amounts to negligence on the part of the manufacturer.

 

If you or one of your loved ones has developed a gadolinium side effect after undergoing an MRI, you may be entitled to compensation for the losses you or your loved one has suffered.

Additional Gadolinium PSC Resources:
Gadolinium Litigation Overview by attorney Barry Hill
Gadolinium PSC Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis by Attorney Barry Hill