Gadolinium Toxicity Lawsuits

Lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturers of Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents (GBCA). These lawsuits claim that manufactures failed to warn healthcare providers of the dangers associated with the use of GBCAs and the potential for gadolinium retention in the body. There is evidence that GBCAs instead of being passed are being retained by various parts of the body. Patients who have undergone an MRI or MRA with the use of linear gadolinium-based contrast agents can suffer from severe injuries and side effects associated with Gadolinium Toxicity. Gadolinium Toxicity has been linked to several medical conditions such as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis, Gadolinium Deposition Disease and Gadolinium Storage Condition.

The symptoms of Gadolinium Toxicity can include:

• Pain in the arms and legs
• Bone Pain
• Tendon and Ligament Pain
• Tissue Burning Type Pain
• Brain Fog
• Skin Thickening or Darkening
• Itching Skin or Rash

What is Gadolinium?

Gadolinium is a rare-earth metal whose magnetic properties prove useful as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). The gadolinium-based contrast agents are injected intravenously to enhance the images produced by the MRI or MRA.

A number of different gadolinium-based contrast agents were approved for use by the FDA. The following brands since been found to result in the highest gadolinium retention rates.

• Omniscan
• Optimark
• Eovist
• Magnevist
• MultiHance

At the end of 2017 the FDA announced it would require a new class warning and additional research on gadolinium retention from the use of gadolinium-based contrast agents in MRI/MRAs.

“…We are requiring a class-wide warning about gadolinium retention in the labeling of GBCAs and a new medication guide that should be presented to patients in advance of receiving a GBCA…”
In May 2018, an Important Safety Warning was sent out by the makers of GBCAs alerting health care providers to the updated prescribing information for the agents. The updated information concerns the potential for gadolinium retention and notes that patients with normal renal function have shown pathologic skin changes as a result of GBCAs.

Gadolinium Toxicity Injuries & Side Effects

The most severe injuries related to GBCAs are Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis and Gadolinium Deposition Disease.

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) results in a thickening and darkening of the skin, shortening of the muscles and tendons and other symptoms which can prove to be fatal. NSF has been associated with exposure to GBCA in patients with impaired renal function. In these cases, the gadolinium cannot be removed from the body adequately which can cause increased gadolinium retention.

Gadolinium Deposition Disease (GDD) results in the development of persistent symptoms anywhere from a few hours to several weeks after being injected with a GBCA. The symptoms of GDD include bone pain and pain in the extremities, burning tissue type pain and brain fog. Patients suffering from GDD often describe excruciating pain in the arms and legs. GDD is a progressive disease, with the severity of symptoms increasing over time. This can lead to the loss of uses of arms, legs, hands, feet and other joints. There are treatments available if the condition is diagnosed early on but, in most cases it is incurable. Gadolinium Deposition Disease has only been show to occur in patients who have undergone an MRI or MRA with the use of a gadolinium-based contrast agent.

Originally healthcare providers were told that patients suffering from renal and kidney issues were the only ones who could be adversely affected by the use of gadolinium-based contrast agents. There is now evidence that shows this to be wrong. Even patients with normal kidney function can suffer severe injuries from the use of linear gadolinium-based contrast agents. Almost immediately following, and up to a few months after, an MRI/MRA in which a Linear GBCA is used, patients with normal kidney and renal function can experience the symptoms associated with gadolinium toxicity.

Get Gadolinium Lawsuit Help Today!

If you have undergone and MRI and MRA which included the use of a linear gadolinium-based contrast agent and had normal renal and kidney function prior to the procedure you may be entitled to compensation. Our experienced defective drug attorneys can help. Click, Chat or call 1800LAW1010 24/7 for a free case evaluation.

Don’t Wait Call Today!