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Neurontin
Injured by Neurontin?
Neurontin Suicide LinkNeurontin (Generic: Gabapentin) may be linked to suicide and suicide attempts. Neurontin is prescribed for epilepsy but has been prescribed for numerous off label uses. Neurontin was approved for sale in the mid-1990s as a treatment for epileptic seizures. However, it is believed that approximately 80 percent of all Neurontin prescriptions were filled for unapproved medical conditions.
Neurontin Off Label Prescriptions
It is believed that Parke-Davis, which was acquired by Pfizer in 2000, had a systematic strategy to market and promote Neurontin for untested uses, such as chronic pain, bipolar disorder and migraines. It is not illegal for a doctor to prescribe a drug for unapproved conditions, however it is illegal for a drug company to market a medication for unapproved, off label uses. In July 2003, Dateline broadcasted an investigation which accused Parke-Davis of deliberately falsifying medical information about Neurontin so doctors would prescribe the drug off label to treat a multitude of conditions. State and Federal prosecutors have launched investigations into the allegedly illegal marketing of Neurontin. In its year-long investigation, Dateline interviewed a former Parke-Davis scientist who alleges company officials encouraged him to persuade physicians to prescribe Neurontin for a number of disorders, including attention deficit disorder and bipolar disease, even though there was minimal preliminary data indicating that Neurontin could help patients with those diseases.
In May 2003, The U.S. attorney's office in Boston said in court documents that the drug company Parke-Davis, now Pfizer, gave illegal kickbacks to doctors, including trips to Puerto Rico and tickets to the 1996 Summer Olympics in exchange for prescribing the anticonvulsant Neurontin. Below is a list of the unapproved conditions that Neurontin was marketed to treat. These 11 uses were unapproved and illegally promoted.
- Bipolar Disorder
- Pain Syndromes, Peripheral Neuropathy, and Diabetic Neuropathy
- Treatment of Epilepsy alone (as monotherapy)
- Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)
- Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
- Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Post-Hepatic Neuralgia (PHN)
- Essential Tremor Periodic Limb Movement
- Migraine
- Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Seizures
NeurontinRSS Feed
FDA Looking at Suicide Risks of Popular Drugs
Sep 2, 2008 | Parker Waichman Alonso LLP
It seems that some suicides might be linked to a variety of drugs that are surprising experts. In one case, the Associated Press (AP) reports a 15-year-old high school football player taking the allergy and asthma medication Singular hanged himself. In another, the AP reports that a physician taking Neurontin for an old back injury also hanged himself. The victims’ families believe the drugs, which were prescribed to relieve physical—not...
Epilepsy Drugs Targeted for Black Box Suicide Warning
Jul 8, 2008 | Parker Waichman Alonso LLP
Federal regulators want the makers of epilepsy drugs to add a black box warning to their labels about their association with suicidal thoughts and behavior. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is set to ask an outside advisory panel for its recommendations on the proposed black box at a meeting this Thursday. In total, 11 epilepsy drugs could get the new black box warning - the FDA's strongest safety notice. They include:Carbamazepine (marketed as Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol,...
Neurontin Should Have Had Depression Warning, Neurologist Says
Jun 20, 2008 | Parker Waichman Alonso LLP
A British neurologist says he advised the maker of Neurontin to include a warning on its label about its potential to cause depression and aggression, but he was ignored. According to The Wall Street Journal, the neurologist, Michael R. Trimble from the University of London, was testifying at a hearing to decide whether civil cases brought against Pfizer alleging suicides linked to Neurontin can proceed.Neurontin was approved for sale in the mid-1990s as a treatment for epileptic...
Epilepsy Drugs to Get Suicide Warnings, FDA Confirms
Jun 6, 2008 | Parker Waichman Alonso LLP
US regulators are very close to finalizing new suicide warnings for 11 epilepsy drugs, The Wall Street Journal reported today. This past January, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Early Communication announcing a safety review of the epilepsy drugs after a study showed they increased patients' risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. The 11 epilepsy drugs slated for a new suicide warning are: Carbamazepine (marketed as Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol, Tegretol XR)...
Epilepsy Drugs Double Suicide Risks, FDA Warns
Feb 2, 2008 | Parker Waichman Alonso LLP
Epilepsy drugs have been linked to a increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) warned this week. According to an FDA analysis, people taking antiepileptic drugs are twice as likely to experience suicidal thoughts or behavior than those taking placebo.The FDA began investigating if epilepsy drugs pose any suicide risk in 2005. In doing so, the FDA analyzed almost 200 studies of 11 anti-seizure drugs, some that have been on the...
Neurontin
Neurontin FDA Information
FDA Drug Information Facts
NEURONTIN (Gabapentin) FDA INFORMATION
The FDA issued several warnings concerning Neurontin related side effects. The links below will redirect you to these warnings on the FDA website.
Quick Facts
Neurontin Reference Guide
Generic Name
Gabapentin
Date Approved
December 1993
Manufacturer
Parke-Davis
Pfizer
Status
On the market
Approved Uses
Epilepsy
Off Label Uses
Bipolar Disorder
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
Attention Deficit Disorder
Restless Leg Syndrome
Serious Side Effects
Suicide
Suicide attempt
Suicidal behavior
Related Topics
Neurontin
Diabetes
Defective Drugs
Diseases
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