Zevalin, the drug used to treat some forms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, is manufactured by the international pharmaceutical giant Biogen Idec, Inc. Zevalin was identified as potentially deadly even before it was approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in 2002, and it carried a black box warning for Zevalin side effects when it was released on the market. The warning listed many patients who should not be treated by the Zevalin regimen.
The original warning was for the dangers of death from rituximab infusion, a necessary part of the Zevalin regimen. The label warns, "Deaths have occurred within 24 hours of rituximab infusion, an essential component of the Zevalin therapeutic regimen. These fatalities were associated with an infusion reaction symptom complex that included hypoxia, pulmonary infiltrates, acute respiratory distress syndrome, myocardial infarction, ventricular fibrillation, or cardiogenic shock. Approximately 80% of fatal infusion reactions occurred in association with the first rituximab infusion."
In 2005, Biogen Idec revealed another Zevalin risk: serious and sometimes fatal skin reactions. In September, the manufacturer added a black box warning to include this potential Zevalin side effect.
Berlex Canand Inc. revealed the same Zevalin side effects in collaboration with Health Cananda in December 2005.
Check out the following articles for more information about Zevalin, filing an Zevalin lawsuit and finding an Zevalin attorney.