Granuflo Side Effects
Metabolic Alkalosis: A Deadly Granuflo Side Effect
A potentially deadly side effect of Granuflo is Metabolic Alkalosis, in which a patient’s pH balance is raised beyond normal. This can lead to fatal results without proper medical attention, as the most severe metabolic alkalosis can cause stroke, cardiac arrest and heart attack, and stroke, any of which can cause death.
The following are symptoms you may experience if you are suffering from metabolic alkalosis:
- Light-headedness
- Muscle twitching
- Hand tremors
- Confusion
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tingling or numbness in the hands, feet, or face
- Tetany, or prolonged muscle spasms
The most common side effects of Granuflo include:
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Low blood Pressure
- Low blood oxygen (hypoxemia)
- Low blood potassium (hypokalemia)
- Too much carbon dioxide in the blood
Other Granuflo Side Effects
1. Heart attacks
Within their own clinics, Fresenius Medical Care (FMC) linked GranuFlo to 941 cases of cardiac arrests in 2010. Cardiac arrests actually account for 59% of deaths in dialysis patients. GranuFlo can increase the risk of heart attacks because it raises the bi-carbonate levels in the blood far beyond the their normal levels. Cardiac arrests is the most serious side effect of GranuFlo.
2. Sudden death
Because the risk of heart attacks was six times higher in GranuFlo users, it is widely believed the drug is responsible for a number of dialysis sudden deaths.
3. Stroke
Strokes occur when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. They occurs suddenly, without much warning, and sometimes no warning at all. In the cases of patients undergoing kidney dialysis, especially with GranuFlo as the dialysate, bicarbonate levels in the blood are elevated, which can lead to hemodialysis metabolic alkalosis, a major risk factor for stroke.
4. Cardiovascular Problems
Aside from heart attacks, GranuFlo use has been linked to a variety of other cardiovascular problems such as hypertensive heart disease, inflammatory heart disease and cardiac dysrhythmias (abnormal rhythm of the heart). These cases could be caused by other factors, but if they happen after a patient undergoes kidney dialysis there is a chance it was caused by GranuFlo.
Granuflo Lawsuits
Some of above problems are common in patients with kidney-related problems, so they don’t necessarily happen because of Granuflo. However, it is possible. So make sure you consult with your doctor and lawyer before filing a claim. If it was indeed Granuflo that caused your problem, you then have the right to seek compensation as these types of medical issues generally add financial and emotional burdens to you and your family.
Granuflo lawsuits are being filed against the manufacturer for downplaying the potential dangers of taking Granuflo. Call the Gallagher Law Firm at (888) 222-7052 or contact us online for more information regarding your legal options.