Gadolinium Lawsuits and Lawyers
 Gadolinium |
Gadolinium Side Effects |
NSF / NFD |
Gadolinium Lawsuits |
 Larry Gornick has been appointed by U.S. District Judge Dan Aaron Polster to the national Gadolinium litigation plaintiff's steering committee >> read more LegalNewsline.com Suit against Bayer, GE claims chemical compound is toxic >> read article The Recorder Patient Sues Over Dyes From Imaging >> read article Daily Journal One Plaintiff Suit at a Time >> read article |
The dangerous side effects of gadolinium based contrast agents have led to numerous lawsuits in recent years. Gadolinium-based contrast agents are drugs administered intravenously prior to certain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) procedures. Gadolinium allows doctors to make a sharper distinction between normal and abnormal cells so that they can better identify dangerous growths and tumors.
The most dangerous condition associated with gadolinium side effects is a potentially fatal disease called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis / nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NSF/NFD). This disease is characterized by tight, rigid skin that can lead to joint immobility and fibrosis that can result in multi-organ failure.
To date, doctors have been unable to pinpoint the exact cause of NSF/NFD. However, they have discovered that individuals suffering from severe kidney dysfunction are most susceptible. Whereas people with normally functioning kidneys are able to quickly eliminate gadolinium-based agents, some patients with impaired kidney function have become afflicted with NSF/NFD after experiencing gadolinium exposure upon undergoing a single MRI or MRA involving a gadolinium-based contrast agent. Currently, there is no consistently effective treatment for NSF/NFD.
The well-documented link between gadolinium-based contrast agents and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis / nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy has been recognized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While the FDA has yet to take any action to recall gadolinium-based contrast agents, it has asked manufacturers of these agents to place a black box warning (the government’s strongest alert) on the packaging and in the accompanying literature.
The FDA began approving gadolinium-based contrast agents in 1998. There are currently five gadolinium-based contrast agents available, with Omniscan being the most widely used:
- Magnevist (gadopentetate dimeglumine), manufactured by Bayer Healthcare.
- MultiHance (gadobenate dimeglumine), manufactured by Bracco.
- Omniscan (gadodiamide), manufactured by GE Healthcare.
- OptiMARK (gadoversetamide), manufactured by Mallinckrodt.
- ProHance (gadoteridol), manufactured by Bracco.
Lawsuits are being brought against the respective drug manufacturers of gadolinium-based agents due to the possibility that they have not properly informed patients and doctors about the dangerous side effects of their drugs.
The gadolinium lawyers at Levin, Simes, Kaiser & Gornick have years of experience helping individuals who have been affected by the dangerous side effects of certain drugs, including gadolinium-based contrast agents. If you or someone you know has become afflicted with NSF/NFD following the use of a gadolinium-based contrast agent during an MRI or MRA, contact the law offices of Levin, Simes, Kaiser & Gornick at (800) 901-4001. They will be able to explain your rights as a consumer and help you explore any potential opportunities for compensation.
Levin Simes Kaiser & Gornick, LLP
44 Montgomery Street, 36th floor
San Francisco, CA 94104
Ph: 1.800.901.4001
Fax: 415.981.1270
