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)
{ 131 comments }
My husband and I have both been on neurotin for over a year. We live in Florida, how can we be apart of the law suit just filed in Miami-Dade county? Please call us at 850-894-0414
I have been taking neurontin for approximatly for three year for neurapathy as well. It really agers me to know that I have taking this medication for something in which is was never intended. and never aproved for by the FDA. I have suffered ill side effects from the drug. such as vivid drerams and depression, headache and attempted suicide.
I need a Neurotin Attorney in Alabama. I was placed on the drug for 2-3 years. Suffered from memory loss, and severe depression.
I was on Neurontin for over a year, and felt terrible. My husband and I almost got a divorce because of what it was doing to me. I would love to get more information about the law suite, because it was a very difficult time for us.
I been on this meds. for long time and I really tired of filling strange.I’m diabetic for the last 3 to 4 years.I been taking this med.please help me.
I am taking neurotin for leg pain.
I have been on neurotin for over a 2 years. I live in Alabama, how can I be apart of the law suit just filled? Please e-mail me.
I took Neurontin in Cali for neuropathy/pain for 18 monthes. Didnt work! I had heart problems, apnea, suicidal, severely depressed, balance off, severe headaches, unstable legs and even fell twice this yr which caused other injuries and many many other side affects. I need an atty and wish very much to be included in this lawsuit. Call me at 909-336-5632 or P.O. Box 802 Twin Peaks Ca 92391
I was prescribed neurotin a year ago for diabetic neurapathy, leg tremors and leg pain caused by a stroke. Headaches, bad dreams depression. I live in Georgia, is there an attorney to help in Georgia
My doctor put me on Neurotin today for neuropathic pain, should I or should I not take it? email me at bandalinda@aol.com
My mother-in-law was prescribed both Oxycontin, Neurontin and Paxil. We found her dead after a week of these combined drugs. We believe the drugs caused confusion on her part as to when and how much of the drugs she ingested. Still my children, ages 2 & 4 will never know their grandmother!Could the combination of these drugs caused her to lose track of her medication times and amounts? I know that they affect the serotonin levels in the brain, but could they be responsible for her death?
I also took Neurontin for several years for bipolar symptoms. I tried to comit suicide several times. I would love to be part of the Florida class suit. Please contact me.
my memory is so bad now i take my pills then i cant remeber if i took them or not,i fall into walls, but i have sciatica and the pain is so bad that i think of suicide so i dont know if the neurotin causes the depression or not but i have homacidal thoughts and a bad temper now i never have had before, i daydream about killing the workers comp. nurse who enjoys tortureing me.workers comp. dr. is terrible and im only allowed to go to there dr.s i want to kill them too……..please contact me if there is a lawyer in oklahom
My pain doctor had me on oxycontin and then he put me on neurontin because my feet burn and I could not sleep.After I took them for awhile I felt really weird and depressed,so I stopped taking them.At my next visit I told my Dr. this and also that I quit taking themHe insisted I take them,any way I started falling alot and my memory became terrible and I started have bad nose bleeds.Does this sound like problems caused by neurontin and is there a law suit in Ga. where I live? thanks ken
bipolar 1 took neurontin for 11 years
numerous suicide attempts had stomack pumped over thirty baker acts
HELP SHANNON….Shannon is a 22 year old woman who was prescribed this medication. She had not one but several suicide attempts. Her only insurance is medicaid. She also has cystic fibrosis. The commonwealth of massachusetts wont admit her to a proper mental health facility always claiming gov’t cuts. Shannon will one day succeed in her attempts at suicide, she is a beautiful young lady and she needs help. If there is an attorney in Massachusetts willing to talk to her, please, please, email me so I can have Shannon get in touch with you. Thank You
I was prescribed Neurontin for back pain from spinal stenosis and numbing of my feet. I was taking this drug for three years and suffer from severe loss of memory and loss of balance.
I would like to know how I become a part of this Neurontin class action suite? I can be reached at 845-838-1563
hi my wife has mental illness she has bipolar she was on neurotin for awhile she has had tried to comit sucide maney times and ever since she took the drug her memorie has been very bad i can not find any one handeling this in pennsylvania dose anyone know how i can look in to this because her illness has gotten worse ever since she was on that drug right now she has been in the hospital for the past 5 mounths i miss my wife
My daughter Jennifer was originally prescribed Neurotin several years ago by her psychiatrist for a bipolar and post traumatic stress disorder. She had been in several auto accidents injuring and reinjuring her back. The pain doctors increased the Neurotin to 1600 mg a day. She ran low grade temps, night sweats, vomiting, diarrhea, and felt like she had a the flu. She would tell this to the doctor on each visit but it did not seem to sink in. At the same time she was on Seraquil, pain meds and Ambien to sleep at night. Then she went off pain meds and they were substituted for non narcotic medications. She suffered her first grand mal seizure in Dec of 2002 and stopped breathing. She was transported to the hospital. The neurologist at first thought it was from her stopping the Seroquil. She continued to have seizures, 3 grand mal within 2 hours all with garbled speech prior to. When she stopped taking the Neurotin the seizures stopped, if Neurotin showed up in her meds we had not found and flushed she would have 3 seizures within 2 hours. She even had a full blown seizure while in her Rehab Psychiatrists office and they called 911 and sent her to Shands ER in Gainesville. They dropped her as a patient following the seizure. She saw neurologists each time following the seizures in office follow up and did not drive for over a year. I searched high and low and finally flushed every Neurotin she had ever been given and completed that in March of 2003. While in Ohio with a friend in February she took a Neurotin in error and you guessed had a grand mal seizure, fell and hit her head on a large metal chain and a metal trailer hitch striking her head. Paramedics were called because of the way she fell and cut her head. She suffered short term memory loss which lasted approximately 6 months. Since then she has had NO seizures, she has had no night sweats, low grade fevers, flu like symptoms, hallicunations, hearing voices, or thinking someone is in the next room when they are not. This drug kept her in bed for close to a year she felt so bad with the contraindications the doctors paid no attention to. My husband and I paid for the drug prior to finding out the drug company would provide it if my daughter was unable to afford it. How can we be part of this law suit? We live in North Florida, please call us at 386-326-9100.
My husband has been under pain management for 30 years. This year, we moved to Georgia. The doctor prescribe Neurotin for my husband to take. He has lost his ability to walk without assistance. Also, he suffers depression, has mood swings, is easliy irritable, has night sweets, feels awful. I have complained to the doctor and I told him that I think it has been caused by the Neurontin. It suggest that he takes it at night. He still has problems. He did not have these problems before, only when he started taking the Neurontine. I would like to get involved. I had to rush my husband to the hospital because he becme unconscious, and I have missed worked because the drug side affects.
We live in Georgia. Is there any help here?
I have seizures and I have been taking this medication and i have tried to commit suicide and, i have pains from this such as my brain hurting, my legs going numb and headaches all the time. 678-522-2237Cell or home # 770-854-6778
I thought I was alone on how I felt when I took this stuff. It was prescribed for nerve pain, at first I was “lost” but told by my pharmacist that it take a couple of weeks to get rid of that feeling. So I delayed taking the second dose dailey. When I did, I felt like I was on a chair by myself in a field and didn’t give a damn if the world blew up around me. I got scared because I never had thought about my demise on such a level. The turning point came on election night 11/2 when I mentioned a voting fact and my wife told me to stop taking the medicine because it’s effecting my judgement/intelligence. The next day I went back the the pharmacy and spoke to another pharmacist who told me to back off the second dose and have the DR. prescribe a smaller dose. I called the DR.’s office and unable to speak with the DR. told his nurse that I was no longer going to take this medicine and the reasons why. I’ve not heard back from him at all! Scary!
Does anyone else have m.s and thats why they say your having those side effects? I haven’t been on it for a year but I can’t remember nothing can someone please let me know.
I have been on Neurontin for over years. Funny how you wish you could describe how you feel taking this. I was not aware of any of these side affects/problems that everyone is describing here. I had to see it on T.V. As I was sitting here, so depressed and wondering what in hell is happening to me. Memory problems, thoughts of suicide, feeling hopeless,
weak, where everyday is like a battle to get through.
I live in New york and would like further information on this. Why isn’t there a recall?
I have RSD (mva 1/92) and in 98 was diagnosed with Fibroyalgia. In 2000 I injured my left foot, the cut healed but the foot still was blackening 3 months later. I had a nerve block and Neurontin began. Last month I was told I have secondary progressive MS. I asked my Dr if the neurontin is responsible for demylination…she said she had not heard of this. I am still on it 900mg three times a day, with othe meds too, but none for the MS. How many others have this??? I was prescribed this for pain and the neuropathy.
i WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS SOMEONE I CAN CONTACT REGARDING THE NEURONTON DRUG CASE. I HAD BEEN ON THE DRUG FOR 4 YEARS AND NOW I AM HAVING NARROWING OF MY BLOOD VESSELS IN MY NECK AND EYE AREA. I AM SURE THAT THIS DRUG CAUSED THIS.
I suffer from neuropathic pain in both arms, hands, and my face. Neurontin was prescribed for this pain, and does help, but I have developed many of the side effects I have been reading about, including depression, violent dreams, memory problems, balance problems, severe headaches, and many times a general feeling of confusion as if my brain just can’t process something. I would like more information on the class action suit regarding this medication. Please contact me by e-mail, or call 859/987-6614
I have been on Neurontin for several years for neurapaty, muscle and body pain. Before taking the medication I could not even sleep, not even with sleeping pills. I deliberately take a small dosage, as I have always been afraid of having liver problems. I take one pill at night – 600mgs. It has been suggested that I up the dosage but I have always resisted. Two years ago I was hospitalized in New York for heart attack symptoms which began while attending a concert with my son. I was at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital for four days, but everything tested negative, and my stress test was good. However my symptoms had been very real, very severe, and I remember feeling as if I was leaving my body after feeling chest pain and tightness. I also experienced a drenching a cold sweat and felt as though I needed to throw up. At the time I thought this was due to not having taken my Neurontin that evening. I soon discarded that thought, and the incident remained unexplained.
For the past several months I have inexplicably been feeling very depressed, crying at the slightest situation and for no apparent reason. Given that I have been taking a low dosage of Neurontin there is probably no relation, however I cannot help think that there might be, given how this has all developed.
I was originally looking into Vioxx since I had taken Vioxx prior to my hospitalization, and still have not been able to explain my hospitalization. But, a heart attack was never confirmed, and I cannot help but come back to Neurontin. What is worse is that I feel that the medication helps my pain and does something to allow me to sleep.
If there are any thoughts about this matter, it will be appreciated.
I had been prescribed Neurontin about 2-3 years ago for Bi-Polar Disorder. I am still currently taking it & probably the most noticeable side effect is memory loss. I live in Washington…does anyone have info on actions taking place in this state because of the fraudulent promotion of Neurontin as a treatment for Bi-Polar Disorder?
My husband has been taking Neurotin for 1 year as a pain medication. He has been getting very forgetful. He takes Klonpin for depression and how we are hearing that Neurotin causes depression. He has burning and itchy feet. He is scared to drive and forgets where he has been. He doesn’t like to be home alone. We live in Michigan and would like to know if their is a lawyer handling a Neurotin case. Please get back with us via e-mail.
i too have been on nuerontin for about a yr. now.i had my spine untethered in jan o4.i am definitely experiencing loss of memory and balance.i also feel worthless at times.help!send info please
Does anyone know what’s going on here in Canada, ie. re class action lawsuits. Canadians appear to be oblivious to this entire story. I know for a fact that Neurontin is being prescribed here for pain not related to shingles. I was told this by a gynaecologist. Does anyone know if Canada has approved it for these uses?? If not, I guess we, here in Canada, are now being used as the guinea pigs.
Best of luck to you all with this suit.
I can’t remember how long I was on Neurontin for, in fact, I can’t remember much from when I was on Neurontin. I took 900mg 3x a day. I remember falling a lot and in the morning, having to lie in bed for nearly an hour before it was safe for me to get up. I went through a serious depression and after reading these comments it all makes sense. Is there a lawsuit in Arizona?
I saw this on tv along with vioxx.. what is this all about….
I live in Mississippi and my mother took neurontin for 5 years for pain after suffering from a stroke. My mother passed away in 2001 from kidney problems. Is there an attorney in MS that could tell me if I could be part of the lawsuit on behalf of my mother?
I was On neurontin for 3 yrs for bipolar disorder.i have sever memory problem balance problems and the list goes on .my Dr took me off then cold turkey 3 weeks ago.do I have a case?
hi i am on the drug neurontin along with other medication and wonder if anyone else is taking other medication that may help promote these side affects i too began feeling strange and have had a hard time with memory processing i am also very tired all the time and i have a 6 year old to chase around. do not know what to do because i also have neuropathic pain in my left foot due to back surgery i just recently had.
Ihave taken neurnotin for 3 years.I have had severe memory loss and balance problemsand have fallen many times,broken bones arms,legs and even sufferd a bad head injury.I am in need of help and is there a lawyer to help in pensacola florida? help 1800mgs a day
i have been on neurontin for about 2 years. i also have suffered from balance problems and memory loss. this drug was perscribed for the fibromyalga and arthritis pain. I live in California and would like more information re: class action suit
Please contact me farther about this lawsuit. My mother was prescribed this medication for approximately 6 months and has had a worsening of her condition with side effects that include memory involvement that we felt was not due to her increasing age (she is only 66). She has Epilepsy and was put on this medication as an only treatment. Please contact us as to what we should do to see if we qualify for the lawsuit. Thanks,
Kathy
i am in illinois and have been taking neurontin for about 6 months. i also have memory problems and balance problems. i can’t find any lawyers in illinois. can anyone help me? thanks, j.bryan
I’ve been taking 18oo mg of Neurontin for at least 5 yrs, prescribed for Neuropathy, Migrains, pain and now Fibromylgia. I suffer sever memory loss, depression, along with slowed ability to think and concentrate. dizzy spills, having to hold on to walls or what ever is around to hold me steady. tremors, visual disturbances and speach problems. Hospitalized several times for these problems. I have not been able to work for over two years, how do I find out if I am able to be a part of this law suit? Please contact me at 225-638-8561
I have just started the med neurotin am on 300 mg daily for now and they want to work the amount up until my back feels better ………. all of these stories have scared me ?????
i took nuerontin for 3 years and most of the time i took 300 mg 4 times daily i have a hard time hearing now and dizzl zll the time is this due to the drug??? the ringing inmy ears are unbearable can anyone help me
I have been on nuerontin now for 2 months. I have severe fibromyalgia. I am taking 600 mg. 3 times a day. I am also on a sleeping pill because I can not get any sleep. I go days and days without any sleep. I also take 40 mg. of prozac. And 30 mg. of flexiril. At night I take the 30 mg. of flexiril and a nuerontin a sleeping pill and the prozac. I have finally started to get some relief. I am willing to take a side effect in order to get relief and sleep. If anyone has any information to help me better than what I am now taking, by all means e-mail me! I am allergic to herbs and have tried many medications.
Good Luck Guys and Gals I have not found anything better. And Is it that maybe you are taking another medication that is causing these problems?
My doctor put me on neurotin for my neuropathy,in 1996. In June of 2004 I had a stroke disabling me for the rest of my life,I’m also on dialisis because
my kidney’s shut down. has anyone having
the same problems?
Has anyone ever heard of Neurontin being perscribed for addiction? My boyfriend has been taking it for about 3 months to help with cravings, and he has gotten so much worse. We live in Michigan. Should he stop taking it? He is on 600mg 3 times a day. Is there anything we should be doing? This is the first I have heard of all of this.
My husband has taken neurontin for quite a while. He had started having stroke like symptoms and is very forgetful and at times seems far away and foggy. Trying to describe to the best of ability. He has had times of getting agitated and is very off balance and has been for quite a while. I have always attributed it to the diabetes esp since now he is on dialysis. Now I realize these symptoms may actuall be the drug. I am so mad, to think my husband may have had a little better quality of life if not on this drug that wasn’t approved for neuropathy really angers me. Who has the right to do that to a person. I live in Oklahoma and we would like information on the lawsuit or a lawyer that may help us. Thank you in advance.
I have been taking Nuerontin for about 2 mths now for Restless Leg Syndrome.
Besides the dizziness and 3olb weight gain I go into spouts of great sadness and suicidal thoughts go through my mind. I have 2 little ones to take care of and since hearing all of this am weaning myself off as of yesterday.
Thanks everyone.
i been taking neurotin for over aperiod of 4 yrs intermittently.o suffer from restless legs, blurred vision and frequent dizziness.any advise would be greatly apprerciated.
I was taking Neurontin for severe pain in my back from an injury. The Neurontin made me feel as if my brain was “jello”. I also had a severe reaction from the Neurontin. I developed a severe rash (big red spots) all over my body. I felt depressed and suicidal. Finally, I quit taking this drug but wonder if my memory loss is one of the effects of the drug. I live in Pennsylvania and would like to be part of this lawsuit.
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