Product Liability

Pfizer Neurontin

People may be eligible for compensation if they have taken the drug Neurontin due to its hazardous side effects and questionable marketing strategy. Neurontin is a potent drug sold by Warner-Lambert and its parent company, Pfizer. It's used in conjunction with other medication to treat partial seizures. During partial seizures, symptoms are minimal and begin in a tiny section of the brain. When a seizure spreads through the remainder of the brain, it is called a secondarily generalized seizure. Neurontin does not combat seizures that concurrently start on both sides of the brain, also known as primary generalized seizures. Typically, Neurontin is utilized as an additional seizure medication when another medication is unable to keep all of a patient's partial seizures in check. Another function of Neurontin is to alleviate burning nerve pain that can last for months or even years beyond the initial onset of shingles. Doctors prescribe Neurontin on a regular basis because it lessens the pain associated with herpes as well.

However, on June 7, 2004, a federal court ruled that Pfizer be fined a total of $430 million for illegally advertising that Neurontin treats various conditions that it was never officially approved for. The drug company began marketing the drug for eleven off-label uses including the following:

• Epilepsy as monotherapy
• Migraine headaches
• Restless leg syndrome
• ADD
• Bipolar disorder
• Seizures from alcohol and drug withdrawal
• Pain syndromes, diabetic neuropathy and peripheral neuropathy
• Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
• Essential tremor periodic limb movements
• Trigeminal neuralgia

Although most Neurontin side effects are mild, suicidal thoughts in patients taking the drug have also been reported. Patients taking Neurontin should be on alert for psychological symptoms including mood problems, personality changes, hostility and difficulty concentrating. Individuals who were prescribed Neurontin for off-label uses may be able to recover compensation if they have suffered serious side effects. Contact our Neurontin attorneys today to find out if you have a case.

• Frequently Asked Questions