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In January 2007, two studies were published in the New England Journal of Medicine linking the Parkinson’s drug Permax (pergolide) with an increased risk of serious heart valve injury. Previous smaller studies had suggested a link between Permax and cardiovascular damage, but a heightened black box warning was not added to the drug’s label until 2006. These latest studies confirm the link and, in fact, show that the risk of heart valve damage is higher than initially suspected—particularly for those who have taken Permax for extended periods or in higher doses.
If you or someone you love has developed heart valve damage and you suspect Permax may be to blame, it is important to consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. You may be entitled to financial reimbursement for your injury and losses. Please contact Lopez McHugh today for a no-cost consultation with a skilled and respected attorney who can evaluate your case and inform you of your legal rights.
Permax Studies
The first study, which was conducted at the Instituti Clinici di Perfezionamento in Milan, involved 155 patients who were taking either Permax or Dostinex for Parkinson’s disease. Of the patients taking Permax, 23 percent suffered moderate to severe heart valve damage—compared with only six percent of patients in the control group.
In the second study, researchers evaluated the medical records of more than 11,000 Parkinson’s patients in Britain and found that those taking Permax were up 7 times more likely to develop heart valve problems than control subjects.
Even patients without a prior history of heart disease have been reported to suffer serious side effects from Permax use. The Mayo Clinic has reported severe heart valve damage—including 2 replacement surgeries—in three women between the ages of 60 and 75 who took Permax daily for extended periods of time.
A Potential Permax Lawsuit
Since its approval in 1989, Permax has been used to treat Parkinson’s disease—a condition that affects approximately 500,000 Americans—and also Restless Leg Syndrome. However, the drug has devastating, potentially fatal side effects. In fact, one expert said that Permax caused the same kind of heart valve damage as the notorious weight loss drug fen-phen, which was pulled from the market years ago and has since been the target of thousands of lawsuits.
Individuals who have suffered injury as a result of taking Permax should understand the legal remedies available to them. If you or someone you love developed heart valve damage while taking Permax, you may be eligible to recover damages. Please contact us today for a FREE consultation with a qualified and trusted attorney who can answer your questions and ensure your legal rights are protected