Two Florida residents who were prescribed the epilepsy drug Neurontin for so-called “off-label” uses filed a class action lawsuit against Pfizer Inc., the world’s largest drugmaker, for illegally promoting Neurontin for non-approved uses.
The lawsuit, filed in a Miami-Dade Circuit Court, says Warner Lambert and its Parke-Davis, Inc. subsidiary – both acquired by Pfizer in 2000 – launched in the late 1990s, an illegal, deceptive and highly profitable scheme to get doctors to prescribe the drug as a primary medication for such unauthorized uses as bipolar disorder, nerve pain and neuropathy, among a host of other uses.
The suit charges the defendants with violations of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, negligence, unjust enrichment, breach of implied warranty of merchantability, and breach of implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Neurontin as a supplementary treatment for epilepsy and certain nerve pain relating to shingles. But according to the lawsuit, patients were also prescribed Neurontin for conditions not approved by the FDA.
“The outrage is the deceptive practices of Warner-Lambert (now Pfizer) hurt people suffering from serious medical conditions,” said Omar Malone, a lawyer with Freidin & Brown, who represents the women. “People rely on drug manufacturers to provide some measure of relief. And rather than provide relief through approved FDA medications, Warner-Lambert went behind the FDA’s back to promote these drugs to the most vulnerable in our society. This drug was promoted big-time among people with bipolar syndrome, for instance. We have fielded hundreds of calls on this, including people who have suffered side effects, and expect to file more suits shortly.”
The plaintiffs, Shirley Levin of Boca Raton and Ana Medero of Miami, were prescribed Neurontin for neuropathy, an unapproved use. Levin spent nearly $5,000 out of pocket for the drug, and Madero spent $10,000 and suffered hallucinations and other side effects, Malone said
In May, Pfizer agreed to plead guilty and pay more than $430 million to settle all criminal charges and civil liabilities related to the illegal and fraudulent promotion of unapproved uses for Neurontin by Warner-Lambert’s Park-Davis division, the Justice Department said in a statement.
The government alleged that Pfizer boosted sales for Neurontin through non-approved uses by flying doctors to lavish resorts, paying them kickbacks as consultants’ and speakers’ fees for unapproved uses, and fired salespeople if they didn’t recruit enough doctors to prescribe Neurontin for pain. The government also said Pfizer suppressed a study revealing the drug to be less effective than a sugar pill placebo in treating bipolar disorder, leaving both doctors and patients uninformed.
The case against Neurontin goes back to 1996, when Warner-Lambert employee and whistleblower David Franklin revealed the scheme to the government.
(via Business Wire)
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I USED NEUROTIN FOR NEAR A YEAR WAS PRESCRIBED FOR STENOSIS IN MY BACK AND FOOT PAIN AS SOMEONE ELSE LISTED. WOULD LIKE TO BE PART OF THE SETTLEMENT IF SOMEONE WOULD PLEASE CALL DURING THIS TIME I WAS ON IT I DID GO THOUGH SEVERE DEPRESSION ME AND MY WIFE BOTH WENT TO ATTORNEY TO FILE FOR DIVORCE ALSO. I HAD SEVERE RESTLESS LEG SYNDROM. JAMES LOAR
5817 WHILSHIRE
TEXARKANA TX 75503 903-334-9530
I’ve been taking Neurontin for 1 1/2, I had neck pain from a cervical fusion
c4/c5 and nerve pain in left arm. Now I’m starting to have evil thoughts about killing myself, hopeless, dizziness and can’t think when people are talking me at time, I just have to get away from them and rest.
I used Neurontin for and off-label diagnosis for several years. I probably had side effects at first, as I do with any new drug, but I don’t remember them being anything unusual. My diagnosis was depression w/anxiety and severe sleep disorder (2 hours to fall asleep, then would get only 2-3 hours of sleep). Taking Neurontin at bedtime allowed me to fall asleep naturally and to get a complete night’s rest with absolutely no drowsy, hangover effect. I moved away from my prescribing physician and cannot find one to Rx it now, much to my dismay.
I just can’t say enough good things about Neurontin.
Last year Neurontin was prescribed to my grandfather as painkiller. He had COPD and had been oxygen dependant for two years, but his life was pretty much normal. He used to have pain in his hands and back, so he started taking Neurontin. He was really happy because the drug was helping him to reduce the pain. However, he started behaving very aggressive and started having hallucinations. After a month of taking the drug he started having stomach problems such as constipation. We took him to the hospital because the constipation and he spent 13 days in the hospital. A week later, we had to take him again to the hospital where he spent two weeks until he was sent home because there was nothing doctors could do for him. A week later he died. Before Neurontin he was able to walk and do many things. If you want to contact me: dmarcela2000@yahoo.com
Hi!
I took Neurontin for 2-3 years 400 mg.every 4 hours for Fibromylagia etc.
(too many to listed ) I was also on Zoloft and Vioxx.
When I took Neurontin I started having problems with my bladder ( couldn’t make to bathroom on time ) could’t sleep,restless leg syndrome,fatigue ,Trigeminal neuralgia (ended in hospital ER) .
When I did not take it on time (every 4 hours ) my body was shaking inside.
When I told my doctor ,his response was – increase the dosage !
My answer was —-no more .
I stoped it !!!!!!!!!!!
I went on Zanaflex.
It was years ago.
I still have problems with my blader as well circulation problems ,my hands does not work as they should etc.
At that time I was in my early 30.
I’m in San Francisco area ,California.
Jb
Ilive in Conn. and have taken neurontin for over 4 years now I was originally perscribed it for perifial neuropathy a side effect of diabeties. I have a lot of the side effects mentioned above. Extreme sleepiness, I got my children’s names mixed up when I was on real high dosages of it. I had trouble finding my way home at times and very confused. I also have had the shakes, problems with balance and extreme problems with my legs. How can the FDA allow this drug to be sold if it is so dangerous????????????????
IN 2002 MY SON WHO WAS THREE AT THE TIME HE WAS PLACED ON NEURONTIN HE WAS ON THE MEDCATION FOR A SHORT TIME THE TIME HE WAS ON HE DEVELOPED A NERVE PROBLEM SUFFED SOME MEMORY LOSS BECAME PARALIZE FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME WHEN HE CAME HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL HE WAS LIKE A FIVE MONTH OLD BABY.I WOULD LIKE TO BE PART OF THE LAWSUIT IM IN JACKSON,MS. PLEASE CALL ME AT 601-502-2887.
Hello, I am a Nurse in Florida. My mother had severe diabetic neropothy. Her doctor prescribed her with neurontin…it was okay for a few months. She started acting crazy, saying things that were just confusing to my family. She couldnt walk. I, being a nurse thought it was a stroke. We took her to the hospital and they could not diagnose her, but kept her on her neurontin. She had memory problems,couldnt walk without assistance, trouble speaking. I need information on this lawsuit, thanks.
I have been taking neurontin for just over 2 years. I have been taking 1800 t0 2400 MG,s a day. I have had severe memory loss and thoughts of suicide, I have been taking neurontin since neck surgery and back injury in 2002, I was told it would help with the nerve damage I suffered from the injury. During this period I also lost 10 teeth and have had severe dental problems. Finally after the loss of my teeth, my physician has just recently stopped prescribing neurontin. I live in Washington state and would like to speak with an attorney regarding the severity of the side affects during my use of the drug. Someone please help and provide me with some helpful imformation toward a law suit or make me a part of a current suit.
I was on neurotin for about a year as a fix for my leg pain. During that time I developed difficulty in breathing while walking, a shrinking feeling in my troath, swelling in my face, dizzy spells, poor coordination, drowsy feeling, and tremors in my legs and hands. Talked about suicide a couple of times. Is there anyone in Florida handling this class action suit?
I wish to be a part of this lawsuit, I live in Los Angeles, California. I was given Neurontin for pain control after lumbar surgery by my neurologist at a very prestigious medical facility. I am an epileptic, which had been under control since 1991/92 and now I have clonic like seizures and other tremors and unexplained shaking. My neurologist still insists I should be on neurontin for radicular pain associated with complications of spine surgery. I took it for a short time and had to go to emergency room twice my medical records are in my hands now and I kept detailed notes while on neurontin by the hour and 1/2 hr as I was so confused I could not trust myself. My other medication for seizure control is phenobarbitol. I continue to have problems that stem from taking this medication. Thank you for your time and consideration. Please help us all—get this drug off the market now. I am currently fully disabled and I believe it is due to this drug. I have many other symptoms but in this forum to long to list. I am failing physical therapy due to the tremors that occur and cause me to lose the ability to communicate. I feel damaged and I feel I do not want to continue burdening my newlywed husband with all my disabilies. He is one of a kind and is sticking it out having to do all the shopping, etc. and home maintenance and works full time. Thanking you in advance.
My daughter was put on neurontin for extreme anxiety and depression. The result was that she became delusional and paranoid…she also had mild hallucinations. It was very, very disturbing and heartbreaking to have this happen, particualarly at her hgih school. Thankfully, shortly after being taken off all those symptoms disappeared.
I started having TIA stroke like migrains and they prescribed neurontin, it startred with 100 mg a4x a day and got to 400-500mg 5x a day. It did not help and seemed to make all my symptoms worse. I was precribed it by two different nuerologist and once I got very sick on it, my face blew up, depression, muscle spasms, and many more. I have since gone off it and still seem to have some of the side effects from taking it. Help?
I was on neurontin for only 5 days in Nov 2003.The first day of taking the medicine I had slurred speech and was unable to keep my balance. I had a seizure and the doctor told me then to get off the neurontin even after precribing 3 other drugs. I have suffered everyday since. This is a letter I wrote explanning my life…….Today is the 24th of August. The kids start to school tomorrow. Another year and we haven’t done anything as a family. My heart and mind is so confused. I feel like it isn’t right to sue but then again, I don’t think it is fair to me or my family to have to go through this when it could have been prevented. How fair is it to have to find out that the company paid the doctor to give this medicine to me knowing that it was not approved for headaches. They were willing to take a chance on my life to make more money for themselves. I don’t know if it would be a blessing or curse. I know that everyday I have to wake up to face a new day. Everybody wants me to smile and be happy that I am still here and haven’t given up on improving. But in my heart, I have already died a thousands deaths. Every time I fail doing a simple task, a part of me dies. I know that before the first hour after waking in the mornings, I am going to let myself down, but not only me, I have to watch the ones that I love most, watch me fail and be disppointed because I haven’t been able to accomplish what they have tried so hard to teach me the past year or almost two. My mind isn’t always with me, my ablities are always altered, but my heart and soul, they still are here and that is what makes me know that I am a burden on the ones I love the most. It is hard to smile when I know they just tolorate me, only because they have to, it is all they have left, a shell of their mom, wife, friend, the one that always took over in their lives and made everything work, make everything alright. Not because I was a control freak but because it was there it needed to be done, and it was easy for me to do.I loved them so much I would not settle for less than the best I could do for them. I know it would hurt them to lose me, but I know too that their lives would be easier and more normal if they did. Its becoming more stressful for all of us everyday. I feel if I could hold the drug company responible, I could have someone to come in to deal with me everyday and at least let my family have their lives back. I have had to watch my home fall apart, I have had to watch the ones I love suffer, I have had to watch my friends walk away because they don’t understand. But the hardest thing of all is I have to keep trying to master the impossible task and simply everyday living and I CAN’T. I can’t do better, I can’t make things alright again. I can’t learn anymore than my brain will allow me to. I can’t find a way to make life easy anymore, I can’t find the happiness that I use to find in everything that I could so easily find in the past. Surely even God in heaven can’t expect my to keep fighting this losing battle with out any help. Is it wrong to beg the ones that changed my life forever to give me money in return, so I can at least make it easy on my family. They done this to me for their own finicial gain, don’t they owe it to me? The doctors that pass out their poison, get trips to the olymipic and money on each bottle they prescribe. And I sit at home struggle to walk across the floor, cook a meal, find my own clothes, take a bath and I phyically have so many things going on, the leg pains, headaches, chest pains, weakness, bruses from falling often, I can only leave the house with someone with me, just to name a few. A outing with my kids isn’t even possible. My mom lives 2 hours away and that is more of a trip than is physically possible for me to make. By the time I get there, I can’t talk were anyone can understand me and I can’t walk without assistence. I don’t know what is going on and I don’t remember being there. It feels like the rich get richer, by making the poor poorer, by literally draining the life, heart and soul out of the poor. I was the pawn in their game that was easily sacarficed. while my life is slowly dwindling down to non exsistions they stand by, watching, knowing, and paying off the ones that could help me for their own finicial gains. God, Please this one time as I am having to face this monster, give me just enough brain power to fight this one last fight, and win….. If there is anyone willing to help me or knows of a lawyer that might help me please contact me at choctaw828@bellsouth.net thanks and God Bless!
I have been on neurotin for 4 months for post herpetic neurolgia and have been experiencing alot of the same side affects mentioned – memory loss, confusion, extreme fatigue, weight gain. I have not been able to read all the comments buts was wondering if anyone has experienced black outs? It seems that I am doing things and meeting people and having conversations with them and no memory of it whats so ever. I also type for my job and was able to type very well and notice that I am transposing letters all the time and can not finish a sentence without numerous errors. I’m worried about losing my job but unfortunately the nerotin does help the pain where as nothing else did. What do I do?? I feel like I can’t even make a decesion.
I was put on Neurontin in December of 2004 for Migraine headaches. It helped for a while but eventually they came back. My dr. said I just needed to increase my dosage. I never thought it was causing any problems until my primary care doctor was doing some routine tests for other things. I discovered that I have low platlets and am spilling alot of protein in my urine. I don’t know if any of these problems are due to the medication but I have never had problems before the medication. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced anything similar?
I am on neurotin for nerve pain from a bulged disc.I take 300mg twice a day and 600mg at bedtime. Cant tell that its helping my pain any.I do feel sluggish from the medicine and have bad headaches. And I feel like I cant concentrate on anything very well.Been taking this medicine for about 6 months.Ant info would be appreciated. Thanks,Phylis
I’ve been taking Neurontin for five years-plus or minus, can’t remember. As I can’t remember most of these past years. Reading these messages, I started sobbing and went on and on. Each symptom, almost, was one I told to the prescribing neurologist or the GP or numerous other healers. No one seems to recognise any symptom I have. A new doctor prescibed a replacement for Nuerontin with its successor, Lyrica. Stopped N. cold after a daily dose of 1600 mgs! Started the L. immediately. After five days of severe pain, getting worse daily, I thought to call this doctor. His receptionist took a message. When I called back after six hours (office hours) the doctor said to stop L. for two days, then start again. Google has over 400,000 listings about Neurontin withdrawal. This would confuse a person in their undrugged mind! HELP ME! I’m so angry, so upset that I’ve been treated with so much disrespect for so long, paying extreme amounts of money for no relief, just more pain, loss of mental capacity that was left, and worst of all of it is knowing that I’ve let this happen to me… that I trusted my doctors and thought they meant well.
My son was prescribed Neurontin by his pediatric neuronlogist after beginning to experience seizures in 2002 at the age of 12 years. While taking the Neurontin, his seizures increased in intensity, he became paranoid, aggressive and eventually began having suicidal idealations. When I found a suicide note hidden in his closet, I immediately took him to a psychiatrist who insisted that I begin whening him off his medications. My son is now medication-free, seizure-free, happy and accelling in school. I would like more information about the class-action suit. Thank you.
I have been taking neurontin 800mg x4 daily for 7 years for neuropathy.I always assumed my doctor knew what was best, please keep me updated on the law suit.
I was proxcribed neurotin for neuropothy last year. When I returned to the docter, I told him that I felt mentally fuzzy the next morning after taking it. He paid no attention and doubled the proscribed amount. About a month ago, I took the amount the doctor advised, overpslept the next morning, was confused when I woke up, and had trouble driving a few miles to my weekly tennis game. My friends drove me home. I have noticed a slight slur in my speach ever since. I gradually stopped taking the medicine. The pain is no worse. I will never take neuriton again. I had slowed down the amount I was taking before the incident occurred, but had taken the full dosage the night before. I felt that very morning that what had happened to me was from the medicine. I doubt that I can get into a class action as I took the generic version. I do feel compromised by the actions of doctors when they do not take your feedback seriously.
My friend was prescribed Neurontin as she was depressed and is diagnosed with Manic Depresion. She suffered worse while taking it. Ended up in the hospital 3, or 4 times wanting to kill herself. She stopped taking it and is finally getting her life back together. But is interested in becoming involved in any class action lawsuit. Can someone e-mail me any information regarding this matter? Thank You.
ive been on neurotin for over a year fromm 300mg twice a day to 800mg in morn 400mg in afternoon and 1600mg at bedtime still have head aches and pain in neck and back confused most times and forgetful in easy stuff this posting is taking 15 mins
I’m an amputee that is prescribed neurotin.why?
I have been on neurontin for over 2 years now. I started taking it for severe sciatic nerve pain caused by a herniated disc in my lumbar spine. I can’t even begin to describe the personality change in me in the past two years. Yes, the neurontin helped the nerve pain and it was the only nedicine that did so i ignored all of the side effects because being out of pain was glorious. I am now in 3,600 mg. a day every day. in this time i went kind of crazy at work, telling people off. purchaSED A 24,000 DOLLAR VEHICLE WHICH I CAN’T AFFORD AND WORST OF ALL PUT MY FAMILY THROUGH HELL. FILED FOR DIVORCE X2 IN THE PAST YEAR. I AM GOING TO BE MARRIED FOR 28 YEARS ON DEC. 20TH AND I LOVE MY HUSBAND. MY MEMORY IS AWFUL, I FORGET THINGS WITHIN MINUTES, HAVE DIZZY SPELLS AND FEELN LIKE I’M IN A CLOUD ALL THE TIME. MY HUSBAND AND DAUGHTER HAVE BEEN THREOUGH HELL. MY AUTISTIC SON ALSO PAID FOR IT. I PUT HIM IN A GROUP HOME THIS PAST MAY WHICH IS SOMETHING I ALWAYS SAID I WOULDN’T DO TO HIM. MY WHOLE LIFE IS UPSIDE DOWN RIGHT NOW. I ALSO STARTED ON LEXAPRO (ANTIDEPRESSANT) IN JUNE THIS YEAR. I NEED HELP. AND IF ANY OF THIS IS CAUSED BY NEURONTIN WHICH I FEEL IT IS. THEN I NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO.
I’ve taken neurotin for about 2 1/2 years now and have had numerous spells. everything from cardio to resportary problems. I take 2600 MG’s a day.I take it for a groin injury sustained in iraq. Is there any info anyone can give me?
I wish I would have known about this class-action suit … I am an amputee (August of 2001) and was given neurontin for “phantom pains” … it completely DID NOT work and spaced me out so badly that the family couldn’t stand when I was on it – almost as much as I couldn’t stand it. After being told that the ’side effects would subside’ for more than three months – which they DID NOT – I made the choice to TAKE MYSELF OFF of them … and my dosage remained relateively small.
I wish I would have known about this class-action suit … I am an amputee (August of 2001) and was given neurontin for “phantom pains” … it completely DID NOT work and spaced me out so badly that the family couldn’t stand when I was on it – almost as much as I couldn’t stand it. After being told that the ’side effects would subside’ for more than three months – which they DID NOT – I made the choice to TAKE MYSELF OFF of them … and my dosage remained relateively small.
My husband and myself have both been prescribed Neurontin for neuropathy just in the last few years. I would really like to talk to someone about this lawsuit if it is still ongoing, because no one told us that this medication was not meant for our types of injuries.
Please contact me at
256-362-5661
I was prescribed neurotin 300mg 3 times a day 2003-2004. It was prescribed for leg-pain, restless leg syndrome, and fibromyagia. After awhile, I started losing my memory and was in a fog like state. Couldn’t concentrate enough to drive. Started having hallucinations. Attempted suicide and ended up in a mental hospital where I was forced to continue neurotin or I couldn’t go home. I am still having problems and have to see a psychiatrist once a month for medication and a psychologist once a week for counseling. I had no history of memory or mental problems before I took neurotin. I think something should be done in the way of compensation. Please contact me: 850-271-2853 or Flattip@yahoo.com
I have been taking Neurontin for six years for bipolar disorder. I would like to be involved in any class-action lawsuits in Ohio. Please contact me at theclaireelizabeth@hotmail.com
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