The FDA can move slowly, but when they issue a warning and require a drug manufacturer to place it prominently on packaging, there can no longer be any excuse for medical technicians and physicians to fail to heed those precautions. Yet, some still do in the case of MRI contrast dyes containing the heavy metal gadolinium. The FDA's gadolinium warning includes the following points:
Exposure to gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) increases the risk for Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) in patients with:
acute or chronic severe renal insufficiency (glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/min/1.73m2), or
acute renal insufficiency of any severity due to the hepato-renal syndrome or in the perioperative liver transplantation period.
NSF is a debilitating and sometimes fatal disease affecting the skin, muscle, and internal organs.
Avoid use of GBCAs unless the diagnostic information is essential and not available with non-contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Screen all patients for renal dysfunction by obtaining a history and/or laboratory tests.
When administering a GBCA, do not exceed the dose recommended in product labeling. Allow sufficient time for elimination of the GBCA prior to any re-administration.
Contact your doctor immediately if you develop any unusual symptoms after receiving a gadolinium MRI, even if the time lapse has been several months. And contact us here at HendlerLaw so that we can help you decide if your situation may warrant filing a lawsuit to recover compensation for medical misconduct. We are here to help at no charge to you. 800.443.6353.
Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) is a ravaging disfiguring disease that causes thickening and swelling of skin and internal organs. There is only one known cause---exposure to gadolinium, a substance used in contrast dyes for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Since the connection has been recognized between the cause and the disease, patients who are suffering from this illness are filing lawsuits in various courts across the United States. Some of the suits are filed on behalf of groups of people who've been diagnosed with NSF.
In Rhode Island a large gadolinium lawsuit against several pharmaceutical companies that make the contrast dyes represents more than 500 people who've developed NSF after an MRI or MRA scan. Most of the plaintiffs are people who suffer from some degree of kidney problems---and who should have been carefully screened for that problem before ever being injected with a gadolinium-based dye.
One doctor described the course of the illness as being unpredictable. In some cases patients will be fine for a few weeks after diagnosis and then suddenly they become bound to a wheelchair. The inability to move one's fingers, elbows, knees, and so on quickly becomes debilitating and frightening. The disease can lead to death.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with NSF, you may also be eligible to recover compensation for your suffering. But it takes an experienced attorney to help you review your history, decide if a lawsuit makes sense, and work effectively towards a settlement. HendlerLaw can help you---and at no charge to you unless you receive a settlement. Don't hesitate to call us at any time. 800.443.6353.
Is gadolinium dangerous? Gadolinium, according to the Wikipedia site, is a chemical element (symbol Gd) that's a silvery rare-earth metal that's easily shaped or formed. To a medical technician, it's a substance in the magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agent that helps the doctor see MRI images more clearly. The answer to the question about its risk depends on how it's being used and on whom. To a patient with serious kidney problems who's injected with gadolinium, it most definitely can be dangerous.
The safety of gadolinium for people with kidney issues has been in question for a number of years already. Many such patients have developed a painful, disfiguring disease known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF). They suffer from symptoms such as severely swollen joints, yellow spots on the eyes, and scarring of skin and internal organs. Some have even died from the disease.
Despite clear warnings from a few doctors who've seen the damage that NSF can do, not all medical facilities are routinely screening patients for kidney disease before injecting them with gadolinium-based contrast agents. Thus, the number of gadolinium lawsuits is slowly rising as some such patients continue to become ill and disabled.
If you experience any strange reactions after receiving a contrast MRI or MRA, speak with a doctor immediately. And if you do develop NSF, we are here to help you figure out whether you might possibly be able to recover compensation. Call us any time, 24/7, at 800.443.6353. We are experienced at helping people receive settlements for corporate misconduct of all types.
Although MRI scans are an accepted part of tests needed to medically diagnose a host of injuries and illnesses, they are not trouble-free to every patient.
Many scans require that a contrast agent be injected into the patient to enhance the sharpness and clarity of the scanned images. And most of those agents contain a substance called gadolinium. Although gadolinium is considered much safer than previous active ingredients in contrast agents, it can be particularly dangerous for patients with kidney disease.
When is gadolinium dangerous? There is, of course, never a guarantee for anyone that an injected foreign material is 100% safe. There are simply too many unpredictable variables in people's bodies. Typically, patients who have scans with a gadolinium-based contrast agent are fine afterwards. The kidneys do an efficient job of eliminating this alien substance through the urine. However, for people with kidney disease---especially serious kidney disease---the elimination process gets stalled.
The resulting gadolinium side effects can be devastating. Thickening, roughening, darkening of skin and internal organs leads to joint swelling and immobility. Effects can include yellow spots on the eyes as well. This is known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF). Symptoms in some patients become so severe that the patient dies.
Today knowledge about the potential reactions of patients with kidney problems is widespread. Lawsuits are being settled in favor of plaintiffs who develop NSF. There is no excuse for doctors or other medical professionals not to screen patients carefully for kidney issues before injecting them with a gadolinium-based agent.
If you or someone you know has begun developing skin, joint or other problems after receiving an MRI with contrast, get medical treatment as soon as possible. And then consult with an attorney experienced in helping patients who suffer from corporate or medical misconduct.
At HendlerLaw we can help you review the facts of your situation and make an informed decision about whether you may benefit by filing a lawsuit to recover compensation for your suffering. We are here to help at no charge to you. Call us anytime of day. 800.443.6353.
Though no award sums have been disclosed, according to the AllBusiness.com/legal/ website, a number of gadolinium cases against two manufacturers, Bayer and Tyco/Mallinckrodt, have been settled. Additional cases are on the dockets in Ohio and New Jersey state courts.
Plaintiffs allege that the manufacturers failed to warn doctors and patients of the risks of severe gadolinium reactions for patients with kidney impairment, some of which can be fatal.
Cases state that despite the fact that their kidneys were already weak, patients developed disease symptoms as a direct result of manufacturers' failure to warn of the potential danger.
Gadolinium, the rare earth metal used in most contrast agents for magnetic resonance scans, has been implicated in hundreds of cases of people with kidney problems developing a rare, ravaging disease known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) after being injected with such an agent.
While the vast majority of cases involve GE Healthcare's Omniscan brand of contrast agent, according to the AllBusiness.com website, Bayer Corporation has settled more than 140 gadolinium lawsuits and is now actively settling all cases of NSF caused by its brand, Magnevist.
If you or someone you know begin suffering any unusual symptoms at all after having an MRI with a contrast agent, see a doctor immediately. And if you are diagnosed with NSF, call us as soon as possible so that we can help you review the facts of your situation and help you decide it is might make sense to file a gadolinium lawsuit. We are available 24/7 at 800.443.6353. There is no fee to you unless and until we recover compensation for you.
If you've had a magnetic resonance scan done with a contrast agent and you have some degree of kidney problems, you probably already know the term "gadolinium." It is the name for a metal substance that's contained in most scan enhancement drugs that are used today. The problem is, if you have kidney trouble, your body may not be able to excrete this material in the usual way (through urine). That can lead to developing a painful, disfiguring disease of the skin and joints known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF).
If you have this disease, make sure your doctor understands it well and will dedicate his/her energies to keeping you as comfortable as possible. And as you find yourself dealing with the typical reactions such as joint tightening and swelling and skin patchiness and itching, you may want to speak with a gadolinium lawyer about potentially recovering compensation for your suffering.
There's no magic about it, but it is a complex process to file a gadolinium lawsuit. Feel free to call us any time with all your questions or concerns - 800.443.6353. There is no charge to help you make this important decision.
Once you have chosen your attorney, you will begin the process of fact finding. Your attorney will carefully review with you the history of your kidney problems and the times leading up to your injection with the MRI contrast dye. An experienced attorney knows how to help you remember the most important incidents and events that may have relevance to a possible case.
Next, your attorney will explain all the steps involved in the legal process of filing a lawsuit. You will receive a free case evaluation; you'll be advised of filing deadlines and of all your legal rights. You'll receive a list of answers to commonly asked questions. And your attorney will spend as much time as you need providing you with the guidance you need and the answers you deserve.
Don't hesitate to call us. We are here to help. 800.443.6353. HendlerLaw.com
Gadolinium is a powerful addition to the contrast dyes used for many magnetic resonance scans. It dramatically heightens the ability to see details in the MR pictures. Doctors value it because it helps them do a better job of diagnosing diseases and pinpointing problem areas.
But there can be danger in injecting gadolinium into some patients who have any significant degree of kidney trouble.
So who makes these potentially dangerous injectable materials? Ultimately, it is the manufacturer who is responsible for providing adequate warnings to physicians, technicians and any other medical professional who may be in a position to prescribe or administer a gadolinium-based contrast agent.
The FDA issued an order several years ago that any agent containing this substance must carry a strong warning label. And yet, some patients with kidney problems continue to have terrible gadolinium reactions after receiving the image-enhancing injections. They develop a disease known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF). Symptoms can include skin and joint thickening and hardening, itching, scaling, and painful joints, and it can lead to death.
Protect yourself by knowing the facts. Talk with your doctor about getting tested well before you go in for any scan using an image-enhancing drug. For your reference, below are the names of the manufacturers of the most often-used gadolinium-based contrast dyes.
Trade Name
Chemical name
Manufacturer
Location
Omniscan
gadodiamide
GE Healthcare
Giles, UK
Magnevist
Bayer Schering Pharma
Berlin, Germany
OptiMARK
gadoversetamide
Covidien’s Malinckrodt, Inc.
Hazelwood, MO
MultiHance
gadobenate dimeglumine
Bracco Diagnostics, Inc.
Princeton, NJ
Prohance
gadoteridol
Bracco Diagnostics, Inc.
Princeton, NJ
If you have any strange reactions after being injected with a scan-enhancing agent, get medical attention. And if you're diagnosed with NSF, call us with questions about whether you might be able to receive compensation via a gadolinium lawsuit. 800.443.6353. There is no charge and no obligation.
Patients often feel at the mercy of their medical teams, whom they must trust to know what is safe treatment and what is not. Unfortunately, there are times when physicians may somehow order a test or drug that can damage a patient's health.
For example, doctors often order a contrast dye to enhance the image quality for a magnetic resonance imaging scan. In rare cases, where there is some degree of kidney trouble and the contrast dye contains a substance called gadolinium, patients may develop a painful, disfiguring and potentially fatal disease known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), also known as Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy.
If a manufacturer sells a drug to a medical professional, it must have conducted appropriate and adequate testing. If it finds there might be a problem with the drug in particular circumstances, it has an obligation to inform and warn the persons to whom it sells the drug. If it knows there is a potential problem and fails to inform the user, there could be grounds for legal action.
In one lawsuit filed in 2008, according to an article in the Madison Record newspaper, two plaintiffs, each of whom had separately been given MR scans using a gadolinium-based contrast dye and later developed NSF, sued GE Healthcare and other manufacturers, claiming they knew or should have known the dangers involved in using the drug.
A few lawsuits have had to be dropped because they were not pursued within the statute of limitations deadline set by a particular state or country. So if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with NSF or has even just begun experiencing strange skin or organ problems after having an MR scan, get medical help immediately. And call a qualified attorney as soon as possible to find out what your legal rights are. We at Hendlerlaw are here to help 24/7. Call us for answers and guidance at no charge. 800.443.6353.
One of our strategic partners has had significant success against the Gadolinium defendants and recently settled a group of clients with one of the key defendants.
The skin disease known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) occurs in people with kidney disease who have undergone an MRI scan using gadolinium in a contrast agent. The question is, why does gadolinium contrast dye affect some people and not others?
Gadolinium is a metal element that comes in various forms---as a free ion it is considered highly toxic, but when it is chelated (bound into a ring shape with a specific chemical compound), it's considered relatively safe. Contrast agents, including GE's Omniscan, that use gadolinium have been considered safe for the majority of people who've used them. Very simply, the kidneys work constantly to purify the bloodstream, and thus many substances are normally eliminated with no trouble. But for those with damaged kidneys, the purification process can stall on certain substances---and gadolinium is one of those.
There are several manufacturers who make contrast agents. But one report indicates that 30% of 120 million doses of contrast agent have been of GE Pharmaceutical's Omniscan. If you happen to be one of the 40 million people who received this high-risk agent and you develop any unusual symptoms at all---even a worsening of any unrelated conditions---speak with a doctor immediately. And be sure to choose a physician who is familiar with the questionable safety of this material and with all the potential consequences.
If you have been diagnosed with any skin or joint disorder after receiving a scan, contact a doctor as soon as possible. You might also want to find out about your legal rights. We can help you review your situation and decide if it might make sense to file a lawsuit to attempt to recover compensation. We are always available on our 24/7 phone line 800.443.6353.
Many of us may have the need to have a magnetic resonance imaging scan done at one time or another. It is a powerful way for doctors to be able to see inside our bodies with much greater detail and to understand better how to diagnose injuries and diseases. In some cases an MRI might eliminate the need to perform exploratory surgery to locate a tumor and/or to assess how far it has spread.
Sometimes doctors order that an MR scan be done with a contrast material injected into the body. The most effective scan enhancement drugs---one of the best known and most widely used is called Omniscan, by GE Pharmaceuticals---contain a natural substance called gadolinium. In the past few years some patients with kidney disease who've had gadolinium injected into their bodies have then developed a painful and debilitating disease known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF).
If you develop any unusual symptoms after having a contrast dye injected, notify your doctor immediately. It's important to get informed medical attention as soon as possible. And if you become ill and are diagnosed with NSF, call us with questions about your legal rights. We will review your situation and help you decide whether to file a gadolinium lawsuit to recover compensation for your illness. 800.443.6353.
Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) is a disease that results in tightening and stretching of the skin and joints. It is painful, disabling and disfiguring and in some cases can even be fatal. So far there is only one known source of the disease---gadolinium-based contrast agents injected to help enhance images in magnetic resonance scans.
Most people can have this substance enter their bloodstream and automatically excrete it in their urine without any ill effects. But for patients who have some level of disease or trouble with their kidneys, this substance can be hard or even impossible to eliminate in the usual manner. Thus, it remains in their bodies and begins causing a host of gadolinium reactions such as stretching, darkening and itching skin, swollen, tightened joints, pain and other symptoms.
Doctors rely on these contrast agents because they significantly improve the clearness of MRI images, plus they want to hold onto them because the only other option--iodine-based contrast agents--can be even more poisonous to greater numbers of patients. Here is a report on how gadolinium works.
Before you consent to receiving a contrast agent for an MRI, talk with your doctor about NSF disease and insist that you be carefully screened for any kidney problems. Make sure you have all results in written format. In the case of NSF, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
What is Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis? It's a rare and painful disease that results in abnormal swelling of the joints and thickening of the skin. Those symptoms are also the typical gadolinium reactions of a person with kidney problems who's had an MRI or MRI using a gadolinium-based contrast agent to enhance the images.
Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) is a serious that can even lead to death in some cases. There are currently hundreds of lawsuits being filed, even as medical professionals continue to order scans using this substance without adequately testing patients for kidney problems. There is no excuse for not exercising extreme care on this issue since the safety of gadolinium has been being challenged publicly for years.
If you or someone you know has begun to develop any of the following symptoms after an MRI, get medical help immediately from someone who understands this disease and its risks:
joint problems - problems moving or straightening hands, arms, feet, legs
bone pain
stiff joints - tightly contracted muscles in your legs, arms
eye problems - yellow bumps
At HendlerLaw we have experience helping people recover compensation when they have become sick as a result of corporate negligence or misconduct. If you have NSF, let us help you review the facts of your case and decide whether it may make sense for you to file a gadolinium lawsuit. There is no charge for that help, and we are available to answer questions any time. 800.443.6353.
In a recent ruling a federal judge presiding over the proceedings in the GE Omniscan lawsuits soon to commence stated that plaintiffs could present a broad spectrum of evidence and testimony to refute defendants' "misleading and flawed presentations" meant to discredit plaintiffs' theories. The trials will investigate potential corporate misconduct in not revealing the questionable safety of the Omniscan gadolinium-based contrast agent for patients with kidney problems.
Some such patients who've received MRI or MRA scans that used Omniscan have developed a painful and disfiguring condition known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis disease. Gadolinium is the only ingredient in the contrast agents that's known to be connected with developing this disease. The list of gadolinium reactions includes thickening of the skin and joints, often to the point of pain and disability, and in a few cases, death.
The several hundred lawsuits currently filed in court over this issue may be the beginning of many others. The safety of this substance has been at issue for a number of years, and many medical practitioners and facilities have ignored the warnings.
If you or someone you love develop NSF or begin having any type of adverse gadolinium reactions, see a doctor immediately. And then call us to talk about your situation--we may be able to help you recover compensation by filing a gadolinium lawsuit. There is no charge unless and until you receive compensation. Call us with any questions at 800.443.6353.
The safety of gadolinium has been being challenged for several years now. Gadolinium is a natural substance added to the contrast agents that are used with some magnetic resonance scans (MRIs and MRAs).
In most people the agent is simply excreted from the body via the natural function of the kidneys. However, some patients with kidney problems may not be able to completely eliminate the substance from their systems. This can lead to their developing a rare disease known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF).
NSF disease symptoms can include thickening of the skin, the joints, and even the organs of the body. It is a serious, painful and debilitating disease that can be fatal in some cases.
Today some doctors may still recommend an MRI in patients with kidney problems, but they might recommend using a contrast agent with the lowest possible dose of gadolinium. Be sure to have your doctor check for kidney problems before you agree to undergo a magnetic scan using a contrast agent.
If you have already developed this disease, please call us about the possibility of filing a lawsuit. The attorneys at HendlerLaw can help you determine whether you may have a case for recovering compensation. We are available 24/7 at 800.443.6353.
According to federal court filings, a small but growing number of gadolinium lawsuits are before the courts in the United States. Gadolinium contrast agents are still actively being used in medical facilities across the country for MRI and MRA scans. The number of lawsuits as of recent count is 391. But for every patient who is ordered to have a magnetic resonance scan using a gadolinium-based contrast agent without being tested for kidney function, that number has a chance to increase.
Patients who undergo scans using such an agent---particularly GE's version called Omniscan---and who have impaired kidney function run a much higher risk of developing a disfiguring, painful and potentially fatal disease known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF). Gadolinium is a substance that cannot be readily eliminated by the bodies of patients with kidney troubles. It is the chief ingredient used in all brands of image-enhancing injections and is the only known cause of NSF disease symptoms.
If you or someone you love have recently undergone an MRI or MRA scan using an enhancing agent, pay strict attention to how you feel. If you begin to develop any skin symptoms such as flaking or hardening or any other unusual signs, speak with a doctor immediately. You should have been tested for kidney function before you were given the injection, but if you were not, ask your doctor to do so as soon as possible.
If you do develop NSF disease symptoms, consider also speaking with a lawyer---one who understands what you are facing and can help you sort through the legal complexities of determining whether you might have a case. The dangers of this substance have been known being reported for a number of years. There is no reason you should have been unnecessarily subjected to this risk. Call us with questions anytime. 800.443.6353.
Apparently, its own experts told GE Healthcare in May, 2006 to “proactively” limit how it promoted and used in imaging its scan-enhancing drug, Omniscan, for patients with kidney problems. Their experts were relying on reports from Europe indicating the drug was connected to some patients developing a potentially crippling disease, Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis.
The company argued for a year after that time that such action was not necessary. According to a report in Herald de Paris, a Chicago-based gadolinium lawsuit has recently revealed this critical piece of evidence. Even as some government and radiological experts supported the GE experts' recommendations, GE continued to disagree and failed to take action. Significant numbers of patients continued to be exposed to Omniscan after that meeting.
The articles also points out that the evidence shows GE's own internal research had questioned Omniscan’s tendency to break down in the body and thus release the potentially toxic metal. Some patients have died.
If you or someone you know has suffered the effects of NSF, you may have a right to compensation. Call HendlerLaw to learn more about your rights at 1-800-443-6353.
Normally a substance like gadolinium--a special element that's injected into your body to enhance images when doctors do magnetic resonance scans--wouldn't have much to do with the law. But as the incidence of a rare painful and disfiguring disease called Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) increases, the list of adverse gadolinium side effects is becoming more well known.These symptoms are increasingly the subject of lawsuits filed on behalf of patients who develop them after having received a gadolinium-enhanced scan.
A great many cases of gadolinium lawsuits have to do with the GE version of the scan enhancer known as Omniscan. And these lawsuits have so far mainly involved patients who had kidney problems at the time they were injected. The reason for that is that the kidneys must do the work of completely eliminating this material from the human body after a certain time. When patients have dysfunctional kidneys, the material remains in the body and begins to wreak havoc. NSF disease symptoms include patchy, itchy, flaking, red skin, stretching, swelling, and pulling of joints that leads to disability and pain. Some cases have even resulted in the death of the patient.
If you have been diagnosed with a kidney problem and underwent an MRI, talk with your doctor about the risk of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis. Enough information about the connection has now been released that medical professionals should not be claiming ignorance. If you or someone you know begins to develop gadolinium reactions, speak to a qualified doctor ASAP.
To find out about your legal rights concerning gadolinium, call HendlerLaw. We are here to answer your questions and guide you through the process that could lead to recovering compensation. 800.443.6353.
The safety of gadolinium has been seriously questioned for some time now. Patients with kidney issues who receive an MRI contrast agent containing the substance called gadolinium are at risk of developing a horribly painful, disfiguring and potentially fatal disease called Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis.
Several hundred lawsuits have been filed in the U.S. as a result of gadolinium reactions. And although most magnetic resonance agents do contain that substance, approximately 75% of all gadoliniun lawsuits are related to GE's gadolinium-based contrast agent, Omniscan, according to ProPublica, a pubic interest journalism website. The law is beginning to catch up with the problem. You may be able to recover compensation in a gadolinium lawsuit.
The list of gadolinium side effects is long including itching, scaling and stretching of the skin, bone and joint pain, and eye problems. If you've received an MRI or MRA scan using a contrast agent and are experiencing any unusual signs, these could be NSF disease symptoms. See your doctor as soon as possible to rule out this disease. However, if you do get diganosed, please contact us at HendlerLaw as soon as you can. We will review your history with you and help you determine if your Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis symptoms may lead to a settlement or a favorable ruling. We can help no matter where you live in the U.S.--from New York to to Texas to California. Call us night or day at 800.443.6353.
Gadolinium is a natural substance that's used to help heighten contrast when a patient has an MRI scan. It replaced iodine as the contrast agent of choice some years ago and is usually relatively safer for patients. However, if a patient has any kidney issues, serious gadolinium side effects can develop.
Gadolinium reactions can lead to a patient developing Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), a disease that can become deadly in some cases. NSF disease symptoms can include roughening and stretching of the skin along with swelling and constriction of joints. It is a painful and disfiguring condition that comes about because the patient's kidneys are not able to eliminate the material from the body.
The safety of gadolinium has been questioned for several years now. But because many physicians and technicians have not kept up with research, the number of gadolinium lawsuits continues to rise as more patients are discovered who were given magnetic resonance contrasts without having been tested for kidney issues and have then developed Nephrogenic System Fibrosis symptoms.
If you have developed any of these NSF disease symptoms after receiving an MRI or MRA, please contact us at HendlerLaw. We are available to answer your questions and give you information and advice on your legal rights. We can also direct you to knowledgeable medical resources to help you deal with this condition. Call us any time at 800.443.6353.
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