Public Citizen Warns Of The Dangers Of Savella
A few months ago, we published blog posts on the dangers of Yaz birth control pills. We also pointed out that Public Citizen, a consumer rights group based in Washington, D.C., had petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) to remove the medication from sale. According to another recent petition the consumer group sent the FDA, Public Citizen has requested that Savella, manufactured and sold by Cypress Bioscience, Inc. and Forest Laboratories, Inc. and used to treat fibromyalgia, be removed from the market immediately because its dangers outweigh its benefits.
Public Citizen alleges that Savella has highly questionable clinical efficacy and has been found, in randomized controlled trials, to cause a large number of potentially serious adverse reactions including hypertension, increased heart rate, and increased suicidal ideation.
In its petition, Public Citizen notes the European Medicine Agency, as of July 23, 2009, turned down the application for Savella for the treatment of fibromyalgia, citing both the lack of efficacy and data on long-term effects. After the drug's sponsors challenged that decision, the European Medicine Agency reconfirmed its original decision. Public Citizen’s petition states that the “FDA should never have approved Savella for fibromyalgia, and should now immediately undo its error by removing it from the market before large numbers of people in this country suffer serious harm from this marginally effective drug.”
If you were injured as a result of taking Savella, please contact us to discuss your legal options.
I was given a trial package by my Dr that ramped the medicine up in your system. 1/2 way through the pack I had a TIA (mini stroke). Stopped drug immediately but have been on th lookout for a similar story as I suspect this is a bad drug and caused my health issues since taking it.
I was on Savella for a short time toward the end of 2009. Had to stop taking it after a trip to the ER for severe chest pain in which they ended up having to give me nitroglycerin & keep me overnight. BTW, I saved all my Rx paperwork & my unfinished bottle figuring I wasn't the only one out there with major problems. I couldn't concentrate. My mind raced constantly. I was restless & hostile all the time & blew up at the drop of a hat. I was covered in bruises. Always soaked with sweat. Had a constant headache. BP went sky high (normal for me was 90's over 60's to 70's). Couldn't eat due to the nausea & stomach pains. Sneezed a lot (never had allergies). Always felt like someone vacuumed my mouth-could not get enough water. I had zero sex drive-which wasn't really a problem since I was so moody & hateful to my poor husband while taking this stuff. Also had some urinary issues-very dark & had some difficulty. Mild chest pain on & off til the day it got bad & I ended up in the ER. I had just started a new job shortly after I started taking Savella & they almost let me go because I was so "all over the place" & wasn't retaining anything they were teaching/training me. I figured out the problem was the Savella & quit taking it & explained to my supervisor the situation & they gave me another chance. Funny, I look now at the "unpleasant withdrawal symptoms" & see "ringing in the ears"...I've now had this problem-without relief-for a couple years. Have even had a hearing test done & they found no problems with my hearing that would be causing it. Now I have to wonder if it's because of the Savella & if it's permanent. I have been unable to find any info on whether there have been any cases of permanent damage/effects after discontinuing. I've had a couple issues come up recently that have made me wonder...
Viki Strachan
I took Savella for approximately one year. Unexpectedly became pregnant and immediately stopped taking Savella upon learning of the pregnancy. At 10 weeks gestation, discovered baby had died at 8 weeks. So...I suffered a miscarriage and had been exposed to Savella during this pregnancy. I contacted the Savella Pregnancy Registry to submit my information to be included in the study. I was told I was I eligible based solely on the fact that I contacted the registry AFTER I knew the baby had died. I find this ridiculous and it seems they are weeding out the pregnancies with bad outcomes in order to make the study favorable.
Savella gave me horrid stomach problems. I threw up every day every time I tried to eat ANYTHING! It finally turned out to be the side effects of Savella. I had to go to the hospital, be hydrated and given mediacation to stop throwing up.It was so bad that the medication to stop me throwing up didn't work. I had to be given sapositories which I took for a month and then had to refill them for another month before I able to eat at all. I have the hospiteal proof and I think 2 doctors will say so, too. I warn people NOT to take it, though I will say it helped a little bit at first before I realized why I was feeling so sick, but no where is it worth the side effects. One doctor was certain I had cancer of the stomach, becauseb I also lost 30 pounds in a month. I was so scared...I cried for a two weeks while I had to go through hellish tests to prove I didn't have cancer.
Started on 12.5 mg. Helped pain in rib cage area. When I went to 25mg. I immediately had to go back to 12.5 due to high heart rate and blood pressure. Then severe muscle pain and weakness in left leg began. After stopping the drug for two weeks pain is somewhat better but still need a cane.
I bought a bottle of motrin sometime this past summer. I have 48 left in the bottle of 300. Coincidentally,I started having problems with my right eye, my two back teeth, and down my neck all on the right side of my head. I have been to my family doctor twice, a specialist, an optomotrist, and a dentist, all seeking what they all claim is allergy related and/or they don't know?? could this make me sick.