The leukemia drug Campath is linked to rare reports of strokes and arterial dissection (blood vessel tears in the head and neck).
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Campath induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with a severe side effect, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
FDA Safety Warning for Campath
In November 2018, the FDA issued a Drug Safety Communication about rare but serious reports of patients who suffered strokes or blood vessel tears in the head or neck (arterial dissection) after taking the leukemia drug Campath® (alemtuzumab):
“Patients or their caregivers should seek emergency treatment as soon as possible if the patient experiences signs or symptoms of a stroke or tears in the lining of the head and neck arteries, called arterial dissection.”
What is Campath?
Campath® is a recombinant DNA-derived humanized monoclonal antibody that treats B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (B-CLL). Campath works by attaching to cancer cells and stopping their growth. Alemtuzumab is also sold under the brand-name Lemtrada for multiple sclerosis.
Side Effects of Campath
- Stroke
- Blood vessel tears in the head or neck
- Bleeding in the brain
- Ischemic strokes
- Hemorrhagic strokes
- Intracerebral hemorrhage
- Cervicocephalic arterial dissection
- Cytokine release syndrome (“cytokine storm”)
- Disability
- Death
What is the Problem?
In almost 5 years since alemtuzumab was approved in 2014, the FDA has identified 13 cases worldwide of patients who were diagnosed with a stroke or arterial dissection, including 1 patient who died.
It is unknown what caused these strokes and artery tears, but they occurred in the same time frame as a condition called “cytokine release syndrome” or a “cytokine storm,” which is a whole-body inflammatory reaction that can occur after Campath is administered.
Early Symptoms Include Headache and Neck Pain
Diagnosing a stroke or arterial dissection is complicated because the most common early symptoms — headache and neck pain — are vague and non-specific. The FDA recommends that doctors promptly evaluate patients who develop a headache or neck pain.
Symptoms of Stroke or Arterial Dissection
- Severe headache or neck pain
- Sudden numbness or weakness
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding
- Sudden vision problems
- Sudden dizziness, trouble walking, or loss of balance
Do I have a Campath Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Campath induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with a severe side effect, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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