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Have your suffered serious side effects from Heparin treatments?
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Heparin Side Effects

Colorado, Wyoming, Ohio, and Nationwide

Although Heparin has been used successfully to treat thousands of patients, recent events have brought this drug to the forefront in an unfavorable light. In 2008, the FDA ordered a massive recall of Heparin due to contamination in raw materials received from China. The Heparin recall, as well as high profile stories such as that of actor Dennis Quaid’s newborn twins being given an overdose of Heparin and the accidental overdose of seven infants at another hospital recently, have led to lawsuits nationwide.

Adverse Reactions

Severe reactions to Heparin became so widespread that the FDA issued a recall for lots of Heparin manufactured by Baxter International using raw materials from the company’s source in China, Changzhou SPL. Other manufacturers, such as Covidien and B. Braun, issued voluntary recalls for products containing Heparin made from the same Chinese source materials. It has been determined that the severe reactions were caused by a contaminant, over-sulfated chondroitin sulfate [OSCS]. As of June 16, 2008, 246 reports of Heparin-related death had been reported to the FDA, 149 of which specifically included one or more allergic symptom(s) or hypotension (low blood pressure). Hundreds of other heart surgery and kidney patients have been sickened by the over-sulfated chondroitin sulfate in Heparin. Adverse reactions include:

  • Abnormal sensation of the lips, mouth, or skin
  • Burning sensation
  • Chest pain and rapid heart rate
  • Decreased blood pressure
  • Decrease sensitivity of the skin
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness and fainting
  • Flushing and sweating
  • Shortness of breath
  • Stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting
  • Swelling throat and difficulty opening the mouth
  • Watery Eyes
  • Unresponsiveness

Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia

Besides the contamination, another problem associated with the drug is Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT). HIT is due to an adverse condition arising from an autoimmune reaction after being given Heparin. This reaction leads to low platelet counts, and typically shows up in 15% of Heparin users up to two weeks after receiving the drug. While HIT is a known possible side-effect of Heparin, studies suggest that the Heparin contaminant, OSCS, may increase the chance for a patient developing HIT. HIT causes clotting and can lead to:

  • Acute inflammatory responses
  • Deep vein thrombosis
  • Gangrene
  • Limb ischemia, or blood flow restriction
  • Necrotic adrenal glands
  • Organ failure
  • Skin lesions at the site of injection
  • Swelling

Due to the problems associated with Heparin, if you feel you may have had any of the listed adverse reactions, please see your physician immediately. You should then contact an experienced Heparin lawyer to see if you have a claim.

If you or a loved one has been sickened by Heparin in any way, please contact the experienced Heparin lawyers at Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine, P.C. We are currently focusing on Heparin-related injuries in all 50 states.