Trasylol Kidney Failure

Drug Trasylol Kidney Failure

Trasylol Kidney Failure and Stroke Center
Trasylol Renal Failure Lawsuit Information

The Food and Drug Administration approved Aprotinin in 1993, a drug marketed by Bayer as Trasylol.  Sales of Trasylol over the past several years have escalated to more than $600 million.

Unfortunately, there are estimates that at least 10,000 patients may unnecessarily need kidney dialysis due to use of aprotinin during heart surgery which caused Trasylol renal failure.  Many patients may have been injected with Trasylol to reduce blood loss during coronary artery bypass (CABG) surgery.

Patients undergoing heart surgery are largely unaware if Trasylol was used during their heart surgery.  The decision to use aprotinin (Trasylol) was made by a patient’s treating doctor. 

Trasylol Linked to Renal Failure, Stroke and Heart Attacks

A recent Trasylol study, published by the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) (2006) reported a connection between Trasylol and increased risk of renal (kidney) failure, myocardial infarction, heart failure or stroke in patients who have had heart surgery.

What is Aprotinin Injection?

Aprotinin (Trasylol) affects the way in which blood clots.  Trasylol is injected into patients who are undergoing open heart surgery.  Excessive bleeding, during and after heart surgery, is a serious complication.  Such bleeding exposes patients to multiple risks.  Aprotinin (Trasylol) is primarily used during repeat coronary artery bypass surgery to reduce the amount of bleeding.  The amount of blood transfusion required is reduced by using clotting medications including Trasylol. 

Alternative Drugs Available – Safer and Less Expensive

The NEJM study concluded that 2 other generic drugs are available that are safer and les expensive than Trasylol. 

•  The generic Amicar cost per dose s $11
•  The generic Cyklokapron cost per dose is $44
•  Trasylol cost per dose is $1300.

Neither of the generic drugs was associated with increased risk of kidney failure, heart attack or stroke.

Trasylol Renal Failure and Heart Failure Warnings

The federal Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Cardiovascular and Renal Drug Advisory Committee met on September 21, 2006 to review recent data regarding the safety of aprotinin.  On September 29, 2006, the FDA issued a public health advisory stating that it had learned Bayer failed to disclose a study that Bayer had conducted involving 67,000 patients undergoing heart surgery.  Preliminary analysis of the Bayer study suggested that aprotinin use was linked with risk for congestive heart failure, kidney disease, stroke and death.  Bayer did not disclose the study during the September 21, 2006 Advisory Committee meeting. 

A Trasylol class action lawyer at Fields Law Firm is available to answer any questions you may have regarding how to find out if the drug was used during heart surgery. We will also request copies of your medical records or family member’s records at no cost to you in order to help find out if Trasylol was used. We are currently filing lawsuits for individuals and families affected by Trasylol in all 50 states.

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