Neurontin is a drug, approved by the FDA as a supplemental treatment for a specific type of seizure caused by epilepsy. It was intended to be used only after maximum tolerance of older drugs had been reached. As such, it was a drug with a relatively limited group of users.
In 2002, the New York Times newspaper broke a story alleging that Pfizer, the manufacturer of Neurontin, had been actively promoting the drug’s use to treat a variety of ailments which it was never approved to treat. These ailments most commonly included bi-polar disorder, drug and alcohol withdrawal, attention deficit disorder, and pain disorders. It was estimated that up to 90% of the prescriptions written for Neurontin were written for these “off-label” uses. The first inkling that this was happening had come in 1996 based on a report by a whistle-blower former employee of Pfizer.
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Furthermore, it was discovered that Pfizer had paid doctors to put their names on articles for publication in medical journals, talking about drug trials that they had conducted showing that Neurontin was safe and effective for the off-label uses. These articles were, in fact, written in-house at Pfizer and were based on faulty drug trials. Finally, the company was found to have distributed a brochure outlining and promoting various off-label uses to physicians. While physicians have the discretion to prescribe drugs for off-label uses, drug manufacturers are not permitted to market the drugs for these uses.
The most common side effects of taking Neurontin include dizziness, drowsiness, poor coordination, nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, and tremor. However, there are reports that off-label use of Neurontin has increased suicidal tendencies in some people. This particular side effect is not well documented yet; however, many attorneys are taking a closer look at the connection between the drug and increased suicidal tendencies.
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