FDA Warns Graves' Disease Patients that Anti-Thyroid Drug May Cause Serious Liver Injury
In our ongoing efforts to keep you informed about the risks associated with prescription and over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements, the Knoxville personal injury attorneys at Baker Associates today wish to provide you with information regarding a recent FDA warning. On June 4, 2009, the FDA warned health care professionals about the risk of serious liver injury associated with Propylthiouracil treatment.
Propylthiouracil is an anti-thyroid medication administered for the treatment of Graves' disease. Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder that leads to over activity of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck just below the Adam’s Apple. It releases hormones that regulate the rate of the body’s metabolism and is critical for body temperature control, energy, weight, mood, and blood calcium levels.
The FDA issued the warning after analyzing adverse event reports, which showed that a number of individuals with Grave’s disease had sustained serious liver injury while taking the Propylthiouracil treatment.
A standard of care for physicians administering Propylthiouracil therapy seems to be developing. According to Amy Egan, M.D., "health care professionals should carefully consider which drug to initiate in a patient recently diagnosed with Graves' disease. If Propylthiouracil therapy is chosen, the patient should be closely monitored for symptoms and signs of liver injury, especially during the first six months after initiating therapy." Failure to follow this standard of care, could give rise to a cause of action for medical malpractice in Tennessee if it is also the standard of care adopted by Tennessee’s medical community.
According to medicinenet.com, patients with serious liver disease develop symptoms that include:
- fatigue,
- weakness,
- vague abdominal pain,
- loss of appetite,
- yellowing of the skin (jaundice)
- itching, and
- easy bruising.
You should consult a physician immediately if you are experiencing any of the above-listed symptoms. If upon diagnosis you learn that you have sustained a serious liver injury, you may be able to recover money damages for your medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering. For an experienced medical malpractice attorney in Knoxville, call Baker Associates at 866-853-2888.
