Liver Injury

Roughly the size of a football, the liver is the largest internal organ of the human body.  It produces various substances, including glucose, bile, proteins and blood-clotting agents. The liver’s main purpose is to remove toxic substances from the blood, making it highly susceptible to damage from drugs that have toxic side effects.. 

Several diseases affect the liver, including cirrhosis and acute liver failure.  Individuals who experience acute liver failure become critically ill in a matter of days, with most cases resulting in the need of a liver transplant. A transplant not received in a timely manner can result in death. 

Drug-induced liver injury has become a leading cause of acute liver failure.  It is also an important reason medications are recalled from the market and require explicit restrictions or special monitoring for users.

Serious health risks and even death can occur if liver damage goes unnoticed or is left untreated.  Drug manufacturers who market medications that increase the risk of liver damage, may not have fully informed physicians and patients about their drug’s dangerous side effects.  Drug manufacturers may be required to compensate individuals who suffer liver damage or failure due to taking certain drugs.  If you have suffered liver damage due to a drug side effect, contact the lawyers of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz at (888) 255-2956 to learn more about your legal rights and potential compensation.

Warning Signs of Liver Disease

Liver disease caused as a result of drug side effects can go unnoticed for prolonged periods of time.  The severity of the damage can quickly lead to serious health consequences, even death.  If you begin exhibiting any of the following symptoms, consult your doctor immediately:

• Abnormally yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)
• Unusually dark urine
• Light colored stools
• Nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite

Serious cases of liver disease may lead to sleep disturbances, mental confusion and coma.

Drug Side Effects that can Cause Liver Disease

Liver disease can rapidly lead to serious health consequences. Several defective drugs on the market today have been linked to causing liver disease.  One such drug is Ketek, a widely used prescription medication. Ketek is a tablet-form antibiotic used to fight infections related to specific respiratory ailments. The severe liver disease side effect associated with the use of Ketek has been refuted by Sanofi-Aventis, the drug’s manufacturer. Sanofi-Aventis claims any link between the onset of liver damage and the use of Ketek is due to misuse of the drug. Since the FDA began investigating Ketek in 2006, 12 cases have been discovered linking Ketek and severe liver damage. Of those cases, four have led to death.

The Law Offices of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz boast some of the most experienced personal injury attorneys in the United States. Contact the attorneys of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz today at (877) 810-4808 to learn more about your rights if you develop a liver disease due to using Ketek or another defective drug.