A class action lawsuit has been filed against Wyeth and several other makers of the heart drug amiodarone on behalf of patients and their families. The suit alleges that there has been a scheme by drug makers for the past 20 years to pressure physicians to prescribe the drug for unapproved uses while concealing and downplaying its risks. The suit further claims that the highly toxic drug continues to be prescribed to millions of patients nationwide without the detailed consumer warnings promised by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration more than a year ago.
Last updated November 2 2009
Stay Informed
Get the latest on class action lawsuits, settlements & more! Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter.
Get our Newsletter!
Submit a New Complaint
Been wronged by a similar product or service?
Click here to send us your complaint.
Reader Comments
Posted by
New York
on
New York
on
My dad was put on 400mg/day of amiodarone in January of 2017 and he was rushed to the hospital in late February with breathing difficulties. It was discovered that his problems were due to amiodarone and he was put on heavy steroids. He fought for over a week in the hospital but died in early March. Prior to being put on the medication, he was a very active person. Please tell anyone that you know not to take this medication. I lost a wonderful, caring, loving person who I miss every day.
Posted by
Cynthia P Harris
on
Cynthia P Harris
on
Hello ,
My Mother was placed on Amiodarone maybe a year and a half ago . i don't know how much about the dosage she's taking but she still taking it. We just found out about this lawsuit or complainant system and trying to seek help and addition information on this matter. she has been treated for pulmonary fibrosis . She is on Oxygen therapy at night and has to sleep with a mask on. She has been hospitalized for COPD and other issues possibly concerning the medications. All of her issues has been documented at her hospital records.We need help with this matter.
My Mother was placed on Amiodarone maybe a year and a half ago . i don't know how much about the dosage she's taking but she still taking it. We just found out about this lawsuit or complainant system and trying to seek help and addition information on this matter. she has been treated for pulmonary fibrosis . She is on Oxygen therapy at night and has to sleep with a mask on. She has been hospitalized for COPD and other issues possibly concerning the medications. All of her issues has been documented at her hospital records.We need help with this matter.
Posted by
Dollie Lankford
on
Dollie Lankford
on
My mother was given this medicine for 18 months, a second Dr. Took her off it after serious complications. She has developed many problems. We pursued lawyer action but could not continue because it was clear the only one who was going to be compensated was the greedy lawyer.
Posted by
Timothy Szabo
on
Timothy Szabo
on
I was administered 800 mg of injectable Amiodarone while hospitalized in March of 2015 to stabalize my heart condition. The ER doctor ordered 1/2 the dose, and my electrocardilogist ordered the other half. I
was discharged with an order of 400 mg/day, and after seeing my electrocardiologist 2 weeks later, he reduced the amount to 300/mg per day. It was my regular cardiologist's responsibility to monitor me after that: x-rays, blood tests, additional cardiac monitoring.
Nothing ever happened and I was on 300 mg of Amiodarone for 1.5 years after that until I discharged my attending cardiologist, and hired another who immediately took me off the Amiodarone as a very danger substance. As a result, the damage had already been done. Subsequent hospitalizations for adverse symptoms were ignored, or denied ( I had
never been to the ER in the many years past without some serious intervention/ I am not a chronic presenter to the ER.
My final visit to the ER had an ER "Hospitalist" suggest that I had COPD ( I do not, and told her so; however, she continued to treat me with such until I dismissed her, told her not to come back and asked her to get me a pulmonary specialist. Dr. Su
diagnosed me with Ideopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Later, my regular pulmonologist asked me: " Why didn't they access records through the Sharp system that would have shown that I diagnosed you with Amiodarone Induced Pumonary Fibrosis?
I had no answer.
Afterward, I got a second opinion from an outside source. That Dr. said that he could do nothing. I
went to my regular pulmonologist after that, and all he said was: " I wish I could offer you something else, but all I can offer you are POLST papers.
End of life directions. Really? My wife said, "No"
she would care for matters. I agree.
I don't know how much time I have left, but I can feel my ability to breathe diminishing from day to
to day. I need to provide for my aging wife, and our disabled child (24)
was discharged with an order of 400 mg/day, and after seeing my electrocardiologist 2 weeks later, he reduced the amount to 300/mg per day. It was my regular cardiologist's responsibility to monitor me after that: x-rays, blood tests, additional cardiac monitoring.
Nothing ever happened and I was on 300 mg of Amiodarone for 1.5 years after that until I discharged my attending cardiologist, and hired another who immediately took me off the Amiodarone as a very danger substance. As a result, the damage had already been done. Subsequent hospitalizations for adverse symptoms were ignored, or denied ( I had
never been to the ER in the many years past without some serious intervention/ I am not a chronic presenter to the ER.
My final visit to the ER had an ER "Hospitalist" suggest that I had COPD ( I do not, and told her so; however, she continued to treat me with such until I dismissed her, told her not to come back and asked her to get me a pulmonary specialist. Dr. Su
diagnosed me with Ideopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Later, my regular pulmonologist asked me: " Why didn't they access records through the Sharp system that would have shown that I diagnosed you with Amiodarone Induced Pumonary Fibrosis?
I had no answer.
Afterward, I got a second opinion from an outside source. That Dr. said that he could do nothing. I
went to my regular pulmonologist after that, and all he said was: " I wish I could offer you something else, but all I can offer you are POLST papers.
End of life directions. Really? My wife said, "No"
she would care for matters. I agree.
I don't know how much time I have left, but I can feel my ability to breathe diminishing from day to
to day. I need to provide for my aging wife, and our disabled child (24)
Posted by
Mary Antone
on
Mary Antone
on
Hi, My doctor perscribed amiodarone. for my heart failure in 2016. i took it for almost a year when they called me and told me to stop taking it. thanks to that drug i now have an underactive thyroid. i am miserable. my gut hurts 24/7.i really dont know what to do...i am scared. Mary
Posted by
Terrence Bossman
on
Terrence Bossman
on
I had stomach surgery while in surgery was diagnosed with AFIB. Was prescribed Amiodarine. 2 tablets daily ( 200mg each). After seeing cardiologist who prescribed it. He found defective valve, months later had valve replacement. Before that surgery I developed severe breathing problems had to leave work. Became very weak , dizzy, out of breath. Complined to doctor adjusted medication conditioned continued. I was told because of afib and valve that occurred
I continued working and had surgery was told I would be off work@ 12 weeks. Surgery was on 11/28/16 still off work . still have breathing problems. Have stopped taking amiodarone but problem still present. Had ablation to try and cure it failed. Still off work filed work SSDI but refused. Have not had money coming in since Dec 2016.
I continued working and had surgery was told I would be off work@ 12 weeks. Surgery was on 11/28/16 still off work . still have breathing problems. Have stopped taking amiodarone but problem still present. Had ablation to try and cure it failed. Still off work filed work SSDI but refused. Have not had money coming in since Dec 2016.
Posted by
Ricky
on
Ricky
on
My mom passed away on August 25th, 2017 from pulmonary fibrosis caused by Pacerone she was taking for afib. She was on 100% oxygen when in the hospital. The doctors also say she had 2 types of lung disease. Her lungs had so much scaring oxygen could not pass from her lungs to her body. She could not even talk. I cannot understand why a drug exists that can destroy a patient's lungs to the point of death. Her death has devastated me and my family. Please help me make sure this drug doesn't destroy another person's life.
Posted by
Jerri
on
Jerri
on
Please see our support group on FB named STOP AMIODARONE - Share your stories, get involved in our Twitter Tuesday blast (where we send tweets, FB messages to different organizations to make them aware of the dangers of Amiodarone), see if you can be a part of a Class Action lawsuit. Unfortunately, we have over 1600 members. Thank you.
Posted by
Misty nunez
on
Misty nunez
on
My dad was given 3 bolus of amiodarone and then pill form. He is now in a rehab because he can't walk he shakes like Parkinson's and hallucinating all day and night his Vision is blurry and he sees halos he won't eat or drink and he was fine prior to using this drug
Posted by
ronald smith
on
ronald smith
on
my dr. suddenly retired after prescribing me this drug , wasn't long maybe 3 weeks after taking it ,oral 400mg , I started shaking with the slightest bit of excitement , my hands , head , and walking became un stable and more difficult , I am an avid bike rider daily , so the only respritory probs I expierenced was a labored shake y ex-hale , only other thing is sun induced skin blemishes , the shaking is horrendous , along with the sluggish wobbly walking , I suspected it was the problem and cut the dose in half 6 months ago , to 20mg , the probs have somewhat maybe 30% gotton better , I stopped this drug 2 days ago , and hope everything eventually goes back to normal , the dr. was treating me for a-fib , and I am really pissed off ,
Posted by
Ohio
on
Ohio
on
My husband died January 25, 2017, He was put on Amiodarone January 2016 and then taken off of it in April . We were not told that this medicine will stay in your body for 3 months after you are taken off. He started having problems in July 2016 and had a terrible cough. He was put back on Amiodarnone by IV at the hospital and after that he was put back on the pil inl August and in January had to be on oxygen an died January 25, 2017. It has been documented in his hospital records that his death was a result of the amiodarone. The Amiodarone destroyed his lungs.
Posted by
Albert Martinez
on
Albert Martinez
on
I was prescribed amiodarone and took this medication for 6 month. My vision, voluntary muscles control, arec damage.i
Posted by
Nick JC
on
Nick JC
on
I was Misdiagnosed put thru unnecessary procedure and loaded with amiodarone by incompetent Med personnel thereon after
suffered
1.Destructive thyroiditis AIT Type II To be on thyroid hormone therapy for life
2. Peripheral Nueropathy
Void of normal use of hand to write and feet to drive
3. CNS, Gastro and Ocular impairments
left with Basal Ganglia Dysfunction tremors
suffered
1.Destructive thyroiditis AIT Type II To be on thyroid hormone therapy for life
2. Peripheral Nueropathy
Void of normal use of hand to write and feet to drive
3. CNS, Gastro and Ocular impairments
left with Basal Ganglia Dysfunction tremors
Posted by
vernell williams
on
vernell williams
on
I have suffered from cirrhosis of liver heart and renal failure placed on dialysis 015 I rec heart and kidney transplant
Posted by
Alice Morales
on
Alice Morales
on
My husband was treated with Amiodoron in November 2005 for AFib. He died of lung toxicity in April 2006.
Posted by
Oklahoma
on
Oklahoma
on
On Amiodarone from a year and half. My health went steadily down hill until I was hospitalized. The cardiologist NEVER took an x-ray after the initial one or it would have shown the interstial tissue growth. I have been a whole year trying to regain my health. My Pulmonologist states I probably will never have all my lung capacity back. I am trying to wean myself from using oxygen.
Posted by
Alabama
on
Alabama
on
My father started taking Amiodarone in 2009 for Atrial Fibrillation. He was in the hospital 4 times since January 2012 with what was originally diagnosed a pneumonia. In June while in ICU at Trinity Medical Center in Bham, his doctors determined that this was not pneumonia but the side affects of Amiodarone. He recovered briefly but returned to the hospital in late June and passed away on July 5th, 2012.
Posted by
Wisconsin
on
Wisconsin
on
I have lost approx 50% of my lung capacity and had to retire early from my job because I was too weak. I was making over 100K per year as a salesman.
Posted by
Wisconsin
on
Wisconsin
on
My father was given Amiodarone for a minor heart condition that was not life threatening. He was shortly thereafter diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and has since passed away. He has no genetic markers and no adverse environmental factors that would attribute to the fibrosis. He (before he died) and I strongly believe it was the Amiodarone.
Posted by
Tennessee
on
Tennessee
on
We suffered the loss of our father! He was a great man and father and was married to my mother for 48 years. He was health conscious, had many more years to live and didn't need to die this way.
Posted by
North Carolina
on
North Carolina
on
The loss of my husband. Is that not loss enough? I have detailed records of all his treatment/doc apts/meds/hospitilizations/drugs/xrays. He died a horrible death - suffocating! I must be part of this class action suit!
Posted by
Georgia
on
Georgia
on
My mom was admitted to the hospital on 1/16/09. On 1/19/09, I was informed that she had cirrhosis of the liver due to the drug Amiodarone. My mom passed away on 2/20/09. My mom had so many side effects from Amiodarone. Some of the side effects she had such as: short memory lost, loss of appetite,weight loss,coldness,cough,loss of coordination and many others. I feel if my mom had not been given Amiodarone she would still be with us today.
Posted by
Ohio
on
Ohio
on
My mother lost her husband of 49 years and my brother and I lost our father. He was 69 years old. We believe with every inch of our being (as our dad did up to the day before he died) that it was a result of taking this drug.
Posted by
Massachusetts
on
Massachusetts
on
My Mother was placed on Amiodorone and has sustained fibrosis of her lungs which has severely limited her ability to live. She has been on Oxygen therapy and in just a few months, her lung capacity is one third of its volume. She has been hospitalized several times because of this. It has been documented in her hospital records that her condition is a result of the amiodorone.
