Georgia Heparin Side Effects Injury Attorney

Atlanta Heparin Side Effects Injury Lawyers, Representing Injured People Throughout Georgia

Heparin is a commonly used injectable anticoagulant (i.e. blood thinner) that decreases the blood's clotting ability. The drug typically is prescribed to patients to prevent blood clots in the veins, arteries and lungs as well as to patients receiving certain medical procedures including kidney dialysis and coronary surgery. Baxter Healthcare produces about half of the Heparin used in the United States. In January and February of 2008, Baxter issued two recalls of Heparin products because of severe allergic-type reactions and low blood pressure that resulted in a number of deaths.

In February 2008, it was revealed that a Chinese company that produced a key active ingredient that was used in Heparin had never had their plant inspected by the FDA. The CEO of Baxter International, Robert Parkinson, admitted that Baxter knew little about the Chinese company that supplied an important active ingredient used in Heparin. In March 2008, The FDA announced major recalls of heparin due to contamination of the raw heparin stock imported from China. The New York Times identified the contaminant as an oversulphated chondroitin sulfate. This compound activates enzymes in the blood that are capable of producing inflammatory mediators. This can result in severe allergic-type symptoms and a dangerous drop in blood pressure.

It is believed that the contaminant was used to cut the heparin from 2-60% to reduce costs and increase profits. This substance closely mirrors the appearance and blood thinning effects of heparin so it was not easily identified through routine quality control testing. Heparin has been linked to 81 deaths and 785 serious injuries. While Baxter is the largest manufacturer of Heparin, Heparin has also been recalled by other drug suppliers stemming from similar contamination concerns including American Health Packaging, Atrium Medical, B. Braun, Covidien and Medtronic.

Baxter finally announced a recall of its remaining heparin products on February 29, 2008. Baxter indicated that it was slow to recall all forms of the drug because of concerns that it might cause a shortage of the anticoagulant.

If you or someone you love has suffered serious side effects from Heparin including severe allergic reactions, low blood pressure or death, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries or the death of a loved one.

Our experienced Georgia Heparin side effects injury attorneys are available to assist clients throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.