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Propulsid and Arrhythmias
Propulsid
Propulsid( cisapride ) was prescribed for many adults
suffering the symptoms of nighttime heartburn and for many
infants suffering from colic. However, after the FDA received
numerous reports linking the drug to dangerous side effects
— including at least 100 deaths — the manufacturer
announced in March of 2000 that Propulsid ( cisapride
) would no longer be marketed in the United States.
About Propulsid
Manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceutica, a division of Johnson
& Johnson, Propulsid ( cisapride ) is a prescription
drug approved for use only in adults diagnosed with a disease
called gastric reflux. Gastric reflux is the regurgitation
of stomach acid back into the esophagus, is usually experienced
as heartburn. Propulsid ( cisapride ) was found to be
helpful in alleviating some of the discomfort associated with
acid reflux and severe nighttime heartburn in adult patients.
Propulsid and Arrhythmias
Approved in 1993 for the treatment of severe nighttime heartburn,
Propulsid ( cisapride ) is known
to cause life-threatening heart rhythm abnormalities even
in people with no heart disease. In fact, the decision to
withdraw Propulsid ( cisapride) was a result of its
link to 341 reports of heart rhythm abnormalities. The death
reports included people of all ages ranging from a 9-month-old
male infant to a 77- year-old man. More than one-half were
under 60 years of age.
Propulsid ( cisapride) was taken off the market in
2000, but it is still available under a special kind of investigational
use. The drug is available to people with severely debilitating
conditions for whom the benefits may outweigh the risks and
who meet specific clinical eligibility criteria. This limitation
assures that it will not be given to people who don't really
need it.
If you – or your infant child – have taken the
drug Propulsid (cisapride) and been subsequently diagnosed
with serious heartbeat rhythm abnormalities (arrhythmias),
you may be eligible to file a claim against the medication’s
manufacturer.
Propulsid and Heart Arrhythmias
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