Drugs in Class Action Litigation: Neurontin
Generic name: gabapentin
Manufactured and marketed by: Pfizer
Purpose: For the treatment of seizure in both adults and children. Neurontin is also used to treat postherpetic neuralgia, also referred to as PHN. This condition is the pain that occurs in the months after shingles has healed.
Side Effects Reported
- Some of the common side effects of Neurontin may include dizziness, drowsiness, diarrhea, and swelling of the hands and feet.
- Neurontin may be linked to an increase in suicidal behavior in patients being treated with the anticonvulsant medication.
Industry Report
In 2004, Pfizer, Inc. plead guilty to charges that the Warner-Lambert company violated federal law by promoting non-approved uses for Neurontin. Doctors are permitted to prescribe drugs for off label uses, however, promoting the off label uses for a drug by the drug company is a violation Food and Drug Cosmetic Act. The case began in 1996 when a whistleblower lawsuit was filed against Parke-Davis and the parent company Warner-Lambert. Pfizer bought Warner-Lambert in the year 2000, which was after this off label marketing activity had already occurred.
The suit alleged that the company had been illegally promoting the off label uses for Neurontin to drive up sales of the drug. Pfizer plead guilty to these charges and has agreed to pay $430 million in fines. There is a criminal fine in the amount of $240 million and civil fines totaling $152 million. An additional $38 million will be paid to state consumer protection agencies.
- Asbestos
- Class Actions
- Commercial Litigation
- Defective Products
- Drug Injury
- Personal Injury
- Securities Fraud
- Toxic Exposure
- Accutane Side Effects
- Darvon and Darvocet
- DePuy Hip Recall
- Fosamax Femur Fractures
- Muscle Injury
- Sleeping Pill Dangers
- SSRI Birth Defects
- Topamax Birth Defects
- Transvaginal Surgical Mesh and Bladder Slings
- Tylenol Liver Damage
- Zocor/Simvastatin
Pending Settlements
