Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers is representing those who have developed vaso-occlusive crises after taking the sickle cell anemia drug Oxbryta (voxelotor). We are also representing the families of loved ones who died after taking the sickle cell drug Oxbryta. We help victims of Oxbryta financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, wrongful death and more.
Vaso-occlusive crisis symptoms include:
- Stroke
- Kidney failure
- Arthritis
- Death
Oxbryta was recently voluntarily recalled from the market by Pfizer. The reason for the withdrawal is that the sickle cell disease medication was found to be associated with a higher risk of vaso-occlusive crisis and death. The FDA has told healthcare providers to stop prescribing the drug, and has told patients to contact their doctors about no longer taking the drug and switching to a different drug.
Our law firm has been representing victims of dangerous drugs like Oxbryta since 1990 and has recovered over $750,000,000 for clients. We have vast experience in holding major pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer accountable for our clients’ injuries and this experience will allow us to recover the most financial compensation possible for you.
We represent victims of dangerous drugs like Oxbryta on a contingency fee basis, which means that we don’t charge any fee until and unless a financial recovery is obtained. The only fee we charge when handling dangerous medication cases is a percentage of any recovery obtained for the client. You won’t be charged any upfront or out-of-pocket fee for us to handle your Oxbryta case.
We often help our injured clients find doctors who will treat them on a lien, meaning they aren’t charged for medical treatment until their cases are over. Doctors do this for our injured clients because we have a long, well-established history of success.
Call us today for a free consultation, fill out this page’s free case evaluation form or text us from this page if you or a loved one experienced adverse injuries or death from vaso-occlusive events caused by Oxbryta. You may qualify to file a lawsuit against Pfizer.
Oxbryta Class Action Lawsuit 2024 Updates
October 2, 2024 Update
On September 26, 2024, The FDA announced that Pfizer withdrew Oxbryta from the market due to it being associated with a higher risk of death and vaso-occlusive crisis. Currently, those impacted by use of the drug are exploring their options for a lawsuit, which will likely culminate in a multidistrict litigation in the near future.
Call us today for a free consultation or fill out this page’s free case evaluation form to see if you qualify for an Oxbryta lawsuit against Pfizer.
What Is Oxbryta (Voxelotor)?
Voxelotor is a sickle cell treatment sold as Oxbryta. It is used for the treatment of hemolytic anemia (when red blood cells break down excessively) in sickle cell disease patients. This drug is the first drug known as a hemoglobin oxygen-affinity modulator.
Pfizer acquired the manufacturer of Oxbryta, Global Blood Therapeutics, in 2022.
The drug has been demonstrated to have potential for modifying disease by decreasing hemolysis indicators and increasing hemoglobin levels in the sickle cell community.
Patients with sickle cell disease see hemoglobin releasing oxygen and clumping together to form chains which make cells change shape, causing cells to break down quickly. This can block blood vessels, reduce blood flow and lead to less red blood cells and working hemoglobin carrying oxygen through the body. Oxbryta works by improving hemoglobin’s ability to carry oxygen and preventing hemoglobin from forming chains.
The drug is found in tablet form, and the tablets are taken orally.
The drug’s safety profile initially appeared to be acceptable in healthy volunteers and sickle cell patients. Initial clinical trials did not note dose-limiting toxicity.
However, postmarking clinical trials discovered that the drug is associated with a higher risk of death and vaso-occlusive crisis.
Oxbryta Recall: Why Pfizer is Withdrawing Voxelotor
Pfizer withdrew Oxbryta from the market because it determined that clinical data indicates that the benefits of Oxbryta do not outweigh the drug’s risks.
Pfizer reported that its postmarketing clinical trials of the drug discovered that the group receiving Oxbryta saw a higher rate of death and vaso-occlusive crisis than the placebo group. The company also observed that two separate real-world registry studies found that sickle cell disease patients taking Oxbryta saw a higher rate of developing vaso-occlusive crisis.
In addition, the European Medicines Agency reviewed Oxbryta after a study involving 236 patients noted at least eight deaths in those taking the drug. That review led to the agency recommending on September 26, 2024 that the drug’s marketing authorization be suspended.
Oxbryta’s Link to Vaso-Occlusive Injuries
Oxbryta has been linked with a higher risk of vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC).
Vaso-occlusive crisis is a form of sickle cell crisis (SCC). SCC primarily involves impaired end-organ function and severe, acute pain. The symptoms of SCC depend upon which areas are involved. Pain may begin in any body part but frequently affects chest areas, the back and the extremities.
VOC patients typically experience moderate to severe pain. This pain has variable frequency and intensity. Young children may experience severe swelling and pain of the feet and hands.
VOC happens when blood flow is obstructed by sickle-shaped blood cells, causing severe pain and leading to tissues experiencing oxygen deprivation. The pain results from an inflammatory response caused by the body trying to resolve this blockage.
VOC can be accompanied by fever in some patients.
VOCs can lead to additional health complications like strokes, kidney failure and arthritis.
Vaso-Occlusive Crises Have Four Phases
Phase 1: This phase lasts about three days and involves aching, low-intensity pain. Numbness or tingling sometimes occur when tissues start being deprived of oxygen.
Phase 2: The intensity of pain escalates quickly as tissue begins dying, causing severe discomfort.
Phase 3: This phase involves an inflammatory response to dying tissue. Constant, severe pain happens. Fever often occurs and lasts many days.
Phase 4: This phase involves crisis resolution. Pain will gradually subside over one or two days.
Vaso-Occlusive Crisis Symptoms
VOCs’ most common symptom is sudden pain that may feel sharp, throbbing, stabbing or dull. This pain’s duration and severity can vary. VOCs can occur monthly or occasionally.
Pain may happen in any body part but often affects the:
- Abdomen
- Arms and legs
- Lower back
- Feet and hands
Additional symptoms include:
- Jaundice
- Problems moving body parts
- Muscle weakness
- Dizziness or headaches
- Severe fatigue
- Pain when breathing
- Difficulty breathing
Other Oxbryta Side Effects
Oxbryta may lead to serious side effects, such as serious allergic reactions and severe skin rash. This can affect organs like lungs, kidneys and the liver, as well as blood cells.
It is recommended that patients stop taking the drug and contact their doctor or seek emergency treatment if they develop:
- Hives
- Rash
- Difficult swallowing
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fever
- Joint or muscle aches
- Fatigue
- Swelling of the face
- Difficulty breathing
Oxbryta’s most common side effects include:
- Fever
- Hives or rash
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Headache
The most common side effects of the drug in children include:
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Rash
- Vomiting
- Fever
Do I Qualify for an Oxbryta Lawsuit?
You may qualify for an Oxbryta lawsuit if you or a loved one have experienced a vaso-occlusive crisis or died as a result of taking Oxbryta.
The symptoms of a vaso-occlusive crisis include:
- Stroke
- Kidney failure
- Arthritis
- Death
If your loved one died as a result of taking Oxbryta, we can file a wrongful death lawsuit on your behalf seeking financial compensation which can help ensure your family does not have to experience financial hardship due to the loss of your loved one.
Call us today for a free consultation if you or a loved one was injured or killed by Oxbryta.
Average Oxbryta Lawsuit Settlement Payouts
Settlements have not yet occurred regarding Oxbryta lawsuits. Thus, there are no numbers yet regarding average settlement payouts.
However, you may qualify for a settlement in an Oxbryta lawsuit. The size of settlement you may qualify for will depend upon the individual circumstances of your case. Specifically, it will depend upon the damages you suffered.
Damages for which we can obtain financial compensation in an Oxbryta lawsuit include:
Medical Bills
You may already be facing medical bills due to a vaso-occlusive crisis caused by Oxbryta. In addition, VOCs can cause lasting damage to the body which necessitate future medical treatments. These future treatments will generate yet more medical expenses. Our firm can help you recover compensation for any past or future medical expenses directly related to injuries caused by Oxbryta.
Lost Wages
You may have had to miss time from work due to a vaso-occlusive crisis. You may have missed time from work while experiencing the crisis, or the VOC may cause you to need future treatments which you need to miss time from work for. We can help you recover financial compensation for any wages lost due to your VOC.
Loss of Earning Capacity
VOCs can cause lasting damage to the body, including arthritis and organ damage. This damage may have left you disabled, representing a loss or reduction of earning capacity which we can help you recover financial compensation for.
Pain and Suffering
One of the primary symptoms of VOCs is severe physical pain. In addition, VOCs can have lasting effects which can cause victims to experience long-term emotional distress. We have over 30 years of experience in helping victims of dangerous drugs accurately calculate the value of their pain and suffering and making sure they’re fairly compensated for that pain and suffering.
Wrongful Death
If you lost a loved one to Oxbryta, we can make sure you are compensated for the suffering and grieving you go through. We can also make sure you’re compensated for your loved one’s medical bills, pain, suffering, funeral costs and burial costs. In addition, we can help you recover compensation for the loss of your loved one’s income, household services, love, companionship and spousal benefits.
How Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers Can Help You
We can help you in many ways if you hire us to help you file an Oxbryta lawsuit, including by:
Clarifying if Your Case Is Viable
Unfortunately, not all cases should get pursued. This is why our firm offers free consultations. You will be able to talk with one of our legal representatives and talk about your potential case in as much detail as you like. You will have an opportunity to ask questions as well as bring up any thoughts or concerns you have regarding your claim. We will provide you with the best advice we can about if we think you will be able to obtain a settlement or emerge victorious in court.
We can review compensation with you during your free consultation, giving you a good idea of how much compensation you may expect in a settlement or court verdict.
Helping Determine Liability
Determining liability in a dangerous drug lawsuit can be complex. While Pfizer will obviously be a defendant in any Oxbryta lawsuit, depending on the circumstances of your case, other defendants may be liable as well. More defendants in a lawsuit mean a larger potential financial recovery, so it’s beneficial to have a lawyer by your side to identify as many defendants as possible. This process is very complex, so having an attorney by your side to help you with this process is crucial in terms of maximizing your financial recovery.
Building a Strong Case
You might think that it is easy to collect simple info and prepare for battle with lawyers representing a drug company or healthcare organization. However, you will regret attempting this alone.
Our lawyers know exactly what information is vital, what information can’t be left out, and which evidence will build the strongest case. Our expertise is undeniable and our knowledge is matchless.
Helping Obtain Testimony From Experts
It’s vital to have expert testimony to help prove harm and injury in a dangerous drug case. It is unlikely that your doctor will be willing to testify in your case.
Our law firm has access to professionals and experts who are willing to testify for you. Expert witnesses can be vital for proving that you were harmed by a dangerous drug.
Negotiating a Settlement
Most of our cases settle out of court because pharmaceutical companies know it’s a bad idea to go to court against us. We have over three decades of experience handling dangerous drug cases and negotiating dangerous drug settlements. We will know exactly what your case is worth and know exactly how to negotiate for the largest possible settlement for you, and we will fight for you until we obtain that settlement, not settling for less than you deserve.
Representing You in Court
While most of our cases settle out of court, negotiations occasionally fail and trial is occasionally necessary. We have a long track record of success representing our dangerous drug clients in court. We will advocate on your behalf and skillfully fight for you to receive a favorable verdict in court if need be.
Talk to an Experienced Oxbryta Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed by Oxbryta, the best way for you to recover the most financial compensation possible for your losses is to hire lawyers experienced in dangerous drug cases.
We have spent well over three decades successfully handling dangerous drug cases. We know the ins and outs of holding huge pharmaceutical corporations like Pfizer accountable for our clients’ injuries. We have the experience and resources to recover the most financial compensation possible on your behalf.
Call us today for a free consultation. Remember: we won’t charge any fee to handle your Oxbryta case until and unless we recover compensation for you. Call us today.
