FDA Warns of Serious If Rare Drug Reactions to Certain Antiseizure Medicines

Certain antiseizure medications involve serious risk of drug reactions. One of these is levetiracetam, which has been FDA approved for 24 years, and is used both by itself and with other medications to control seizures. It’s sold under the brand names Keppra, KeppraXR, Spritam, and Elepsia XR. It is also sold in generic form. Another such drug that can cause serious drug reactions is the benzodiazepine, clobazam, which is sold under the brand names Sympazan and Onfi and is used to treat a severe epilepsy known as Lennox Gastaut Syndrome. The FDA has issued a drug safety communications warning with regard to levetiracetam and clobazam, notifying consumers that they can cause a rare but potentially life threatening reaction that must be treated quickly: Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS). If you suffered harm as a result of your antiseizure medication, you should call the seasoned Chicago-based dangerous drug attorneys of Moll Law Group.

Call Moll Law Group If You Develop a Drug Reaction

Antiseizure drugs have a number of side effects, but DRESS is particularly harmful. Hypersensitivity to antiseizure drugs is rare, but when there is that sensitivity the reaction can be quite severe.

The FDA has warned that Keppra, Keppra XR, Spritam, Elepsia XR, Sympazan, and Onfi can trigger DRESS. This hypersensitivity reaction to these medicines is serious but rare. In the event that you develop a mysterious rash, fever or swollen lymph nodes while taking one of these medications, you should talk to your doctor and get medical attention right away. The rash can progress and lead to internal organ injuries involving the liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, and pancreas. that require you to be hospitalized and that could result in death.

The FDA has required pharmaceuticals manufacturers of the impacted medications to add new DRESS warnings, not only to the prescribing information and the Medication Guide for caregivers and patients. Manufacturers using levetiracetam in medications sold as Keppra, Keppra XR, Spritam, and Elepsia XR have been told to add a new warning that describes the significant and most severe safety problems. The FDA asked manufacturers of clobazam-based Onfi and Sympazan to specifically warn of DRESS in the prescribing information.

The warnings will also let consumers know through the medication guides that DRESS symptoms may be present even though a rash is not.

If you were harmed by DRESS because you took levetiracetam or clobazam, you may be able to recover damages. Our product liability attorneys will need to be able to prove a design, marketing, or manufacturing defect. In this case, since the warnings are being added to make the product safer, there were likely marketing defects—frequently marketing defect cases involve a failure to warn or failure to adequately warn. Our attorneys may be able to recover compensatory damages on your behalf; these may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental distress, replacement services, and out-of-pocket costs.

If you or a loved one were injured by antiseizure medications, call the seasoned Chicago-based dangerous drug lawyers of Moll Law Group for a consultation. We provide trustworthy legal representation to injured plaintiffs and grieving families across the country. Billions have been recovered in the lawsuits with which we’ve been involved. Please complete our online form or call us at 312.462.1700.