Gadolinium Lawyers

FDA Warning: Gadolinium

In June 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued its first warning about gadolinium. The FDA began investigating a link between gadolinium and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), a potentially life-threatening disease that causes swelling and tightening of the skin. These are the symptoms of gadolinium exposure. The FDA was warned of this disease after a Dutch study linked the chemical to nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. The FDA investigated this claim while advising that patients with kidney failure should not be administered gadolinium unless absolutely necessary. Three name brand products that were included in the first warning were Omniscan, Magnevist and OptiMARK.

The FDA released an additional warning about gadolinium in December 2006, stating that 90 patients with moderate to severe kidney disease developed nephrogenic systemic fibrosis after receiving a MRI containing gadolinium. Of the 215 worldwide cases of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, 75 medical histories were reviewed and each person had received a gadolinium based contrast agent during an MRI. The FDA urged those with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis to contact a doctor, while those with kidney problems should avoid MRIs using gadolinium.

The May 2007 warning issued by the FDA was its strongest yet. The FDA requested that the five gadolinium-containing contrast agents (Omniscan, Magnevist, OptiMARK, ProHance and MultiHance) include a black box warning to highlight the risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis development in kidney patients. The warning also advised that all patients should be screened for kidney conditions before undergoing a gadolinium-based MRI.

If you would like to know more about the dangers of this drug, you can visit our questions about gadolinium or information about MRI injection lawsuits. If you or a loved one has a kidney problem and have been exposed to gadolinium during an MRI or MRA procedure, contact Morgan & Morgan's Gadolinium Lawyers for a free, confidential case review.

About Morgan & Morgan

Morgan & Morgan is one of the largest Personal Injury law firms in the country with offices nationwide. The firm handles cases against drug and medical device manufacturers, as well as food poisoning and consumer fraud cases. Visit ForThePeople.com for a free case evaluation and information about your legal rights.