Documents filed in U.S. District Court in Dr. David P. Franklin’s whistleblower lawsuit against Warner-Lambert and its parent company Pfizer Inc., allege they paid dozens of doctors tens of thousands of dollars each to promote Neurontin, an epilepsy drug, to other physicians for non-approved uses. The top spokesperson for Neurontin received than $300,000 for speeches given from 1994 to 1997, according to a court filing. The court papers also show how some doctors were paid to prescribe Neurontin based on the findings of a clinical trial that Warner-Lambert created to market the drug.
Franklin says the company’s marketing strategy, which enabled Neurontin to bring in more than $2 billion in revenues, is illegal. He says the government paid hundreds of millions of dollars for Neurontin as doctors prescribed the drug to Medicaid patients for off-label uses.
(via New York Times)
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Hi I dont know to much about this lawsuit,but I do Know about nuerotin.I have been on it for 3 years.I take 1200 at bed every night.I to suffer from memory loss.And if I miss a dose I have a nervous breakdown, I become very angry and violent,suicidal even.Now the reason I am on it is for bypolar disorder, Italso helps me sleep. without it Icant sleep at all. Please give me more info about the dangers of this drug! I have 4 children to think about, Idont want anything irreversible to happen to me. thank you.
I have back trouble causing severe pain. I have had years of treatments, but no surgeries. This year, about june or july of 2004, I was put on Neurotin for a reduction of neurological pain. Like an idiot, I took what they gave me and I thought maybe it was a little better. There was so much pain in my back I was ready to try anything. I was also put on Bextra after Celebrex did not help and now I am having so many other problems.
I am retaining water and waiting now to see a doctor to find out exactly what this has done to my body. I have sores on my genitals, edema, trouble concentrating, remembering, constructing sentences, spelling, etc.
I have a 4-year degree in journalism with a minor in English and I have trouble now helping my daughters with thier homework. A few years ago I was helping home school my oldest.
I read one about someone on here having leg spasms – try large doses of magnesium and add some potasium. I am now going to see about checking out some of the other many medications I am on.
Good Luck to us all.
DON’T TAKE NEURONTIN!!! Here’s my “story”…..I’m a 22 y/o female and have been on it for almost three years now for bipolar disorder. I have just recently contacted my physician to help get me off of it. I was always told that I had a memory like an elephant (supposedly that have great memories) but lately, i can hardly remember the days events that occured the day before. I cannot concentrate, focus, or react properly to almost anything. I am in college and sometimes when I have to do an assignement, I just start to daze and it’s almost like my mind is playing a recording or something and then I snap out of it, but still cannot focus properly. I have been going to this nightclub about 25 mins from my house for about a year now, well when a friend came to visit from out of state so I wanted to take her. I GOT LOST! I got lost driving to a place that I had just driven to the week before and the week before that. End of “story.” I’ll leave it at that. I’m 22 and wondering if I’ll ever be the same. 22! My life has barely started and I feel as though it’s ending. I am so scared every single day of my life.
I conduct surveys in a local mall and we have a survey that is asking the public to watch a commercial for Nexium and give thier opinions on what the commercial is saying to them. I have seen the real commercial on t.v. and it is different than the one we are showing to the public. The man who is talking in the commercial on the survey, is not moving his lips to the words spoken. I know there is a lawsuit against Nexium and the thousands of signed documents that will be presented in court and fraudulant. I am not sure where to turn on this matter. If anyone knows who to contact…please let me know.
This is the attorney that I contacted. I live in Mississippi and they are in NJ so I suppose they take cases nationwide on this.
http://sskrplaw.com/
I have been on Neurontin for two years due to back issues and pinched nerves in my lower back causing chronic leg / foot pain. I am currently taking 800 mg in the morning and afternoon and 1200 mg at night. I used to have what my associates called a “photographic memory” before taking Neurontin. Now I can go shopping with a grocery list and forget that the list is in my hand. After hearing of the side effects and the lawsuits regarding Neurontin, I took the information to my Doctor because I wanted off this medication, after all 2800 mg of anything can’t be good. Not only did he not take me off Neurontin, he also told me that he would take me up to 3600 mg a day if he had to do that.
I had cronic pain starting in early march of 2004, after numerous test was advised my gall bladder was not funtioning. It was removed in the first of may. The pain in my rib cage did not go away so i was sent to a pain clinic at that time i was placed on Neurontin 1800 mg daily. Since that time i have had trouble with my memory, severe panic attacks, trouble driving remembering where i am going in a town that i was born in, i can’t remember how to fix supper for my family at times,I am a full time collage student trying to get my RN after years of waiting and working as a CNA i have fear of take any classes due to fear and panic attacks and to top off a list of other problems have become very suicidal. My husband took away my Neurontin cold turkey due to the severe suicidal thoughts and the fact i could not get a return call from the Dr. When the Dr finally did contact me all that was said was that i had been on it for a long time. I still can not function properly and can not even walk in to a store or talk to people i have known for years due to the anxiety. i on;y sleep for short periods of time and wake up with a jump. I have shaking constanly. The suicidal thoughts are with me constantly and have numerous plans in motion at all times. If anybody can help me with any information on how i can get over some of this please feel free to contact me.
Came across this site by accident but the word “Neurontin” stood out like a sore thumb. I have a protruding disk in my neck as a result of a fall which lead to a large impact to the top of my head (I was very lucky really considering the far worse possibilties other than a protruding disk). Anyway, since then I am in constant pain varying from moderate to strong. I trialled neurontin a few months ago when I was barely coping with the burning sensation of nerve pain. I was stupified, I couldn’t think straight was forgetful,saying things backwards such as “can you door the close” and I just lost my normal train of thought. The scary thing was I still had to go to work and function (fortuneately I have been in my customer service job a long time and really know what I am doing so there were no adverse consequences). But this really scared me and I didn’t like it one bit. Pain is one thing and horrible to bear but at least I know what I am doing. The side effects of Neurontin are worse than the pain itself. Steer clear if you ask me!
I took neurotin for about 1 and 1/2 years for nerve damage in my feet that caused me severe pain when I walked. It turns out that after I had gastric bypass surgery and lost weight, I no longer had feet pain. What I have experienced however is scary. I absolutely do not have the ability to think anymore. I feel like a person that is a alcoholic and has blackouts must feel. I forget parts on my day, I can’t think of commom words or peoples names that I have known all my life. I’m scared that I have a brain tumor or some disease. I am a teacher and do not desire to get involved in a law suit because I DON’T think that will cure anything. What I would like to know, is has anyone else been on nuerotin and experienced these conditions and will it ever improve?
Marsha G.
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT 8 YEARS AGO WHICH LEFT ME PARALYZED FOR SOME TIME AND 3 SURGERIES LATER I AM STILL STRUGGLING. MY DOCTOR RECOMMENDED ACCUPUNTURE AND 300 MG NEUROTIN 3XD. THE ANEXIETY IS QUITE UPSETTING WHEN I DON’T TAKE IT AND MY LEGS AND FINGERS QUIT WORKING. I NO LONGER FEEL COMFORTABLE IN GROUPS OR IN GIVING TALKS AS I USE TO BE. I DID GO TO COLEDGE AND ALMOST MADE IT FOR MY BACHELORS DEGREE.HOWEVER, PANIC OVERCAME ME BECAUSE MY MEMORY AND LACK OF WANTING TO DO MY WORK BECAUSE I FELT THAT I WAS NOT CAPABLE ANYMORE. I DO NOT LIKE PAIN PILLS, AND I AM AFRAID OF WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I QUIT COLD TURKEY. IT DOES HELP MY PAIN AND IT DOES HELP ME SLEEP. BUT AM I ADDICTED TO THIS MEDICATION? I CAN’T REMEMBER ALOT OF THINGS, I CAN’T FINISH A SENTENCE WITHOUT FORGETTING WHAT I WAS SAYING. I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I TRUST MY DOCTORS. BUT AM I A SLAVE TO THIS MEDICINE? 8 YEARS IS A LONG TIME. SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE I HAVE DSYLEXIA.
I was put on Neurontin for neuropathy in my hands and feet. Everytime I take even the smallest amount I have a bad headache. Has anyone else had this side effect? It does help the pain in my hands and feet, but I may not be able to tolerate this headache much longer.
I’ve been taking Neurontin for neuropathic pain for over four years. I’ve been taking a total of 2400 mg a day and I experience a lot of problems with it. I have to say it helps the pain, but after taking it for this many years I think it’s wearing it’s welcome out. I have headaches I can’t get rid of, I’m depressed, I have involuntary muscle movements, my speech becomes slurred, I feel at times like I have flu symptoms where I’m in pain from head to foot and the feeling that even my hair hurts! I stumble and fall very often, I can’t remember anything, I can’t concentrate at all, I forget what I’m doing or saying right in the middle of doing or saying something. I often have overwhelming feelings of paranoia to the point I have to keep one eye open when I’m in the shower washing my hair! I’m afraid and I know that I’m not dealing with a full deck here but I’ve never been afraid of taking a shower before I started taking Neurontin. I also lose my balance an awful lot and I’m sure my neighbors must be thinking I start out my morning with a little too much bourbon in my coffee.
I’ve tried to wean myself off of the drug but I’m in so much pain that I cannot walk, and I get so sick all I can do is stay in bed and away from everyone…even my dogs. Last but not least…I don’t have insurance and I’m not working. If it wasn’t for a friend of mine I wouldn’t even have a place to live. Sorry I went on and on, I just wanted someone else to know what we are going through.
Thank you,
Rob
I have been taking Neurontin for about 3 years for bi-polar disorder and sometimes I too have short term memory loss and trouble concentrating. I’m a full time student and also work. My wife tells me she is starting to notice the problem. My concern is that overall the drug is one of the best drugs i’ve been on for bi-polar. I’m afraid if I get off the med. my anger issues and mood swings will return. While I’m on the med. I’m the nicest guy you want to meet but when I slip up and don’t take I become the meanest man on the planet. I also teach Sunday School and I don’t want to expose the kids I teach to the side effects of me not taking the meds. Any Ideas of other meds. that do the same thing without the side effects?
I have never heard back from my attorney. Should I hire another one?
Sincerely,
Marcia Cutter Neel
My doctor put me on Gabapentin(Generic for Nuerotin) with in 1 week I was overwhelmed,anxiety, clenching of my teeth, tingling sensations from left side of neck up to face, to eye to head, muscles tighting up & more! I slowly took my self off of it after a month , I was also confused, dizzy,liteheaded, loss of cooridination!!! I T WAS TERRIBLE. I TOLD MY DOCTOR(DR.KOLE CPM) & CASE MGR.(REBECCA THOMPSON-CRCI) ABOUT THE REACTION I WAS HAVEING 5 TIMES BUT THEY JUST DISMISSED IT & MY CASE MGR LAUGHED AT IT & SAID YOU WANT ME TO MAKE YOU AN APPT. WITH KOLE? I SAID NO, SO I CALLED THE HOSPITAL & PHARMACY BUT THE HOSPITAL WANTS YOU TO COME DOWN IN WHICH I DID NOT WANT TO GET STUCK WITH THE BILL SO TALKED TO THE PARMACIST & KOLE FINALLY CALLED ME INTO HIS OFFICE AFTER I HAD MY MOM CALL & HE SAID HE WOULD NOT CHARGE ME BUT HE DID AS WELL AS TRY TO SEXUALLY HARRASS ME & HE WAS TOLD ABOUT IT ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS: DO NOT WORRY ABOUT MY SEX LIFE BUT WORRY ABOUT MY INJURIES! ALL THAT SAID, I HAVE NOT BEEN THE SAME SINCE & WONDER WHEN THIS TERRIBLE FEELING WILL GO AWAY???
I have been on nurontin for years for my bipolar 1 rapid cycleing disorder. Last week I had to go two days without my med since I didn’t have the copay.
After two days, four doses I was shaky, tearful, and combative. I had a lady friend over and she was getting on my LAST nerve. I’ve always heard that you should NOT go off of nurontin cold turkey. I’m wondering how much damage I may have done missin the four doses. I’m very unsure of myself and have grown to love pitch black silence. I guess some would even call me a shut in but lately that don’t even phase me. I wonder how much of what I’m going through is the meds or normal bipolar symptoms if there is such a thing.
I have kicked myself for years since I realized that I don’t learn like others. I hear what is being said but it has no impact in my mind. I forget that I’ve said things to people and end up feeling really stupid when they remind me that I’ve mentioned that before. The starting a sentence and getting lost mid way is growing more common for me as well.
Thanks for any feedback
Brandy
As a 47 year old amputee (left BK since age 19) suffering from chronic violent pain, numerous MDs have attempted to prescribe everything but a narcotic pain releiver (the only medicine so far which proved to remove my particular pain). Most have pushed this Neurantin on me. The side effects have been unsettling to say the least. They include loss of appetite, extreme difficulty getting up in the morning, dreams and nightmares filled with anger and violence (and I am not that type of person in normal everyday life), some awakening me where once awake, the actual feeling of extreme anger and particulars of the dream were just as real and present then as they were in the dreams. My coordination is adversely effected (which as a musician effects my musical and instrumental playing abilities). My vision sometimes gets blurred. These pills can knock the blankety blank (if you will) out of me.
What bothers me more is the cost of Neurantin. Anywhere from starting out at $80 a month to a current $155 a month and they don’t even do the job! I find that annoying and sometimes in frustration I feel like taking the doctor by the throat and saying, you chop your leg off and tell me how it feels. If I genuinely suffer the violent pain I do, shouldn’t I in this day and age have a right to a medicine that works without going through the mess I do with drugs like Neurantin with its costs? I can’t help it if someone else abuses narcotics. That’s not my fault. My pain is real.
I too am a victim of Neurontin, please excuse the melodrama,it seems called for if you will. I have this entire thread tonight and am stunned. I had no Idea that there was a reason for all of my pain and suffering. I too would really like the latest info on the lawsuit and anything I can do to help anyone out there I will be happy to .email deromew@elmore.rr.com
Please send any information on neurontin. aia have also beenn prescribed this medication for nerve damage and severe chronic pain. Had no idea of all these side effects but have experienced many of which I have read. Have lost se of my right arm with no muscle strength which Dr. wants MRI done of the brain. Could be neurontin related. Ny information pleae contact.
I am wowndering if any one else has been given neuronton for neurophy? I have been taking it for about 2 years and I don’t have any side effects that I am aware of other than being sleepy a lot of the time (but I have blamed that on old age) I would like to quit taking it because I don’t feel that it is really doing much good. Maybe there is something out there that would work better. I have asked the Dr and he just kinda blows it off. Any comment sould be appreciated. +
I am wowndering if any one else has been given neuronton for neurophy? I have been taking it for about 2 years and I don’t have any side effects that I am aware of other than being sleepy a lot of the time (but I have blamed that on old age) I would like to quit taking it because I don’t feel that it is really doing much good. Maybe there is something out there that would work better. I have asked the Dr and he just kinda blows it off. Any comment sould be appreciated. +
I had a daughter that was diagnosed with brain cancer in January of ‘04. My daughter was prescribed neurontin, she had a lot of the side effects that I have been reading about but the whole time I complained her doctor would always blame it on a medicine called decadron . I don’t believe too much of what the doctors say . My daughter only lived ten months after diagnosis. Within the ten months she ended up with an adult case of shingles at the age of nine only a couple of days after which she was prescribed the neurontin.
I am a 26yr old psycology major with 4 beautiful little girls. I decided to post a message to this site because I felt that I might have something to offer some of you.
I have multiple mental illness diagnosses and have been on medication and in therapy since my first suicide attempt at 8 yrs old. I recognize that there are various factors that contribute to things like that hapening such as environmental stability and support, genetic predispositon, and biological contributers (medication reactions, hormonal inbalances). The only way anyone can know how those things are affecting one another is if they are closely monitored by a community of people trained to work together to make sure that a heathy and stable balance is found.
I’ll explain why I brought this up. There are so many people on this site who are talking about the dosage of medication they are taking and their side affects or the fact that they just began taking the medication and they’re frightened because their side effects are so severe. These people should have the ability to contact their prescribing physician and discuss dosage adjustment and in the case of new users they shoud have been informed that the first week taking the medication and any increases thereafter is going to bring perticularly pronounced side effects. If your physician does not take time to follow you closely and listen to how the medication is effecting YOU then you need a new physician.
I am saying all of this from experience. I was prescribed Neurontin a couple of years ago and I had several severe suicide attempts that followed. I was on multiple medications at the time and so monitoring side effects was difficult. Since discontinuing the use of Neurontin I have not had another attempt. I also have a therapist who works closely with my psychiatrist to monitor my behavior and mood when adjustments are made to my medications. This is only because I made it clear that I recognized that medication therapy is going to be necissary for the rest of my life and new medication will become available that may work better with less severe side effects and I don’t want to be affraid to see how new meds effect me. So I have found a doctor who will fully prepare me for the side effects a medication will have and a therapist that will take the first few minuts of every session to find out if there has been any med changes or if I feel any neg effects I think might be med related.
Working all this out took time and finding the right people to be a part of my treatment team meant going through several doctors and therapists. I did it and I want all of you to know I don’t have a fancy private insurance carrier that payed for it all. I have medicaid provided by the state. So don’t let anyone tell you you have to stick with any particular doctor because who is prescribing your medications, whatever the reasons may be, will determine how successful medication therapy is for you.
You should never feel frightened by the idea of taking a medication. If you do, my advice is if it is not an immediately life saving medication, don’t take it. Find out more about it. It may turn out to be the right med for you after all. And, don’t just count on internet info, speak to real people. If your doctor want’s to give it to you than most likely the people waiting in the waiting room you’re in will have some knowledge of the medication. So you could say “Hey have you ever heard of whatever med?” If they have some input find out how long they’ve been taking it. Everyone is different and has a different experience but it will give you some stuff to ask your doctor about other than the tachnical stuff you can find on the net.
Hopefully this will be helpfull.
Take Care
I have been on neurontin for more than a year for nerve pain and the doc increased dose for migraines. My memory has been getting worse and worse. I went to my gyn doc today and saw the nurse practioner…I told her about the memory problems and then I told her I was on Neurontin…she said she was going to ask me if I was on that, because it causes memory problems…I’ll live with the migraines and pain in my feet….I would rather have my mind and the pain….
Hello all ,
I have a friend who recently had back surgery , The Doc’s put him on Neurotin…Now my friend has always been a bit of a goof, but lately I have seen some major changes since he started this drug….. decided to do some surfing and stumbled apon this site ……Well !!!!!!! My friend now sleeps for 12-14 hours a day, 5 weeks after surgery …has started the stare with mouth wide open ….cannot complete a full sentence …mumbles like I never heard him before…and he can’t remember anything . He seems very short tempered .After reading some of the letters here I am worried for him, taking this drug !!! To many simular statements and not really sure if is going to help his back pain all that much …. but this is the drug the Doctors want to keep him on permanently rather that “real ” pain killers because he might get hooked !!!!!
Your comments appreciated!
Mitch
I would like for some advice about how to get off neurontin. I have been on it for a year now for sciatic pain, both before and after back surgery. I am in physical therapy now and want to decrease the neurtontin. I ended up in the emergency room twice by reducing the dosage too quickly. Can anyone tell me how much I can reduce the dosage and how quickly? I really want to get off the stuff!!!
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