November 2007–The FDA ordered Bayer to remove Trasylol from the market after studies linked Trasylol to tens of thousands of deaths. A Bayer study looked at more than 78,000 patients from January 2003 to January 2006 and concluded that Trasylol users have a 64% higher death risk than those that took an alternative drug. The increased death risk was due to Trasylol dangerous side effects including kidney failure, heart attack, and stroke.
About Trasylol
Trasylol, also known as Aprotinin, is used to prevent blood loss during coronary bypass graft surgery (CABG). Trasylol allows the blood to resume normal clotting and avoid the need for blood transfusions. Trasylol is used in about one third of the 800,000 CABG surgeries performed each year.
Aminocaproic acid and Tranexamic acid are two generic alternatives that perform the same blood clotting function as Trasylol. Studies reveal that the generic alternatives do not pose any increased risk for dangerous side effects. A 2006 study conducted by the Ischemic Research and Education Foundation in San Bruno, California revealed that using Trasylol alternatives instead of Trasylol could prevent more than 11,000 kidney problems, save over a billion dollars in healthcare, and reduce worldwide drug costs by $250 million.
Trasylol 60 Minutes Report
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Trasylol Patients and Kidney Failure
The Ischemic Foundation Study revealed that Trasylol users were twice as likely to suffer kidney failure compared to other patients. Kidney failure is a serious and life threatening condition. In severe cases, kidney dialysis may be required, which is the removal of waste and fluids from the kidneys when the kidneys stop functioning. The researchers calculated that 10,000 Trasylol users are currently on dialysis because of kidney failure.
Trasylol Patients and Strokes
A January 2006 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that Trasylol users have a 181% greater chance of suffering a stroke compared to non-Trasylol patients. A study by the Ischemic Research and Education Foundation concluded that the stroke risk for Trasylol users was tripled compared to other patients. These two studies are inconsistent with Trasylol’s label that places the stroke risk at two times less than the stroke risk in a control group.
The study published in the New England Journal of Medicine also found that Trasylol users have a 50% increased heart attack risk compared to patients using a generic alternative drug. Bayer dismisses the findings claiming their clinical studies revealed no link between Trasylol use and increased heart attack risk.
Contact Our Trasylol Injury Attorneys Today
Injured by Trasylol? Contact the Trasylol injury attorneys at Bernstein Liebhard LLP today.
