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Patients who were given Trasylol, a drug used to limit bleeding in heart surgery, have reported being shocked at Bayer Pharmaceutical’s failure to warn the public about the dangers involved with the drugs use. According to researchers and a recent CBS 60 Minutes story, over 20,000 patients may have died due to Trasylol use – most of who didn’t even know they were being given the drug.

What is Trasylol?

According to Bayer Pharmaceutical’s website, www.trasylol.com:

Trasylol is indicated for prophylactic use to reduce perioperative blood loss and the need for blood transfusion in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary [associated with the heart and lungs] bypass in the course of coronary artery bypass graft surgery who are at an increased risk for blood loss and blood transfusion.

Trasylol warning

Bayer’s website now contains the following warning about Trasylol:

Trasylol administration may cause fatal anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reactions [a type of allergic reaction]. Fatal reactions have occurred with an initial (test) dose as well as with any of the components of the dose regimen. Fatal reactions have also occurred in situations where the initial (test) does was tolerated. The risk for anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reactions is increased among patients with prior aprotinin [which is Trasylol itself] exposure and a history of any prior aprotinin exposure must be sought prior to Trasylol administration.

However, this warning wasn’t made public until 2007 when it was pulled from the market – leaving patients to ask…

Why did Bayer fail to warn?

Industry experts say that, although Bayer knew about the injuries and deaths associated with Trasylol, it failed to warn the public because of increasing profits from the drug’s sale. Trasylol was used on over 4.5 million people – one third of those in the United States – in the 14 years it was on the market from 1993 to 2007.

If you or a loved one may have been injured or died due to the use of Trasylol, contact an attorney whose practice focuses in this area of law to discuss your situation. The consultation is free and without obligation. To contact a qualified attorney, please click here.