Tequin

There are many antibiotics on the market; however, not all of them are as effective as others. The one thing they all have in common, however, is that they line the pockets of their manufacturers. After all, in western society, antibiotics are a keystone of prescriptions (even though recent media attention has questioned whether they are necessary.) It was in this era of heavy antibiotic use that Tequin, a drug manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb, was introduced into the market.

After receiving approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Tequin hit the marketplace and was prescribed by well-meaning physicians as a new alternative to other antibiotic treatments. Generally, Tequin was prescribed for patients suffering from sinusitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), bronchitis, and other infections. However, it soon became obvious that Tequin was causing the side effect of blood-sugar complications in some consumers.

Tequin reports of such glucose-related concerns rapidly altered the reception to its use. As more and more physicians began questioning whether it was a safe alternative to other antibiotics, its rate of prescription dwindled. Finally, in an effort to save Tequin, Bristol-Myers Squibb issued a February 15, 2006, letter to physicians urging caution when considering Tequin for certain patients.

Specifically, Bristol Myers-Squibb explained that contraindications could occur when those with diabetes or those who were considered "geriatric" patients took Tequin. Therefore, Bristol Myers-Squibb suggested that doctors not to prescribe Tequin to those at risk for developing blood-sugar problems.

Though the February 6th letter was intended to save Tequin, it was unsuccessful. The media attention it drew to the already-questionable Tequin turned increasingly negative. And Public Citizen, a public interest group, asked for a ban of the drug on May 1, 2006, citing many individuals who had experienced glucose-related side effects.

Thus, in May 2006, Bristol Myers-Squibb took Tequin off the market, preferring to cut its losses rather than continue with a product that was so controversial. (Interestingly, the patent license was given to Kyorin Pharmaceutical Company, a Japanese manufacturer that could presumably still be marketing the drug in other parts of the world.)

Amid these safety concerns, a number of lawsuits arose against Tequin and its manufacturer. In fact, at the present time, over 300 Tequin users have claimed the drug caused blood-sugar irregularities, leading to at least 20 deaths and more than 150 hospitalizations.

If you or someone you love was the victim of the side effects of Tequin, you may be able to seek monentary compensation for your pain and suffering. You must act quickly, for laws called statutes of limitations restrict the amount of time you have to take legal action and get the restitution you deserve. Contact us today.

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Tequin In The News

In May 2006, after many months of controversy, pharmaceutical developer Bristol-Myers Squibb Company took its drug Tequin off the American and western European market. (The drug patent license was given back to a Japanese company, Kyorin Pharmaceutical Company, that presumably still manufactures the medication.)

Tequin, an antibiotic that can be injected or taken in pill form, was commonly prescribed for conditions such as bronchitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and other infections. However, it was noted that users of Tequin began to experience blood-sugar complications.

In an effort to keep Tequin on the market, Bristol-Myers Squibb issued a February 15, 2006, letter to healthcare providers. The intent of the release was to inform physicians of new contraindications and side effects related to the use of Tequin. The letter noted that serious cases of hypoglycemia had been reported from diabetics who had been given Tequin. Consequently, the Bristol-Myers Squibb letter added contraindications for patients afflicted with diabetes mellitus due to Tequin's tendency to distrupt blood glucose levels.

The letter also included two precautions that should be taken when prescribing Tequin. The first precaution was for geriatric patients. As the release notes: "Elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function and the risk of toxic reactions may be greater ... Care should be taken in dose selection" (Bristol-Myers Squibb, 2006).

The second precaution regarded drug interactions and stated "Coadministration of glucose-altering medications with Tequin increases the patient's risk for dysglycemia" (Bristol-Myers Squibb, 2006).

Following the Bristol-Myers Squibb release that made its way via the media to consumers around the world, many claims against the drug Tequin and its side effects began to surface from unhappy consumers. There was also considerable discussion among professionals as to whether Tequin was an appropriate drug for human consumption or whether it did more harm than good.

Finally accepting that Tequin, not the only antibiotic on the market, was creating bad press for them, Bristol-Myers Squibb removed its product from the market. However, for those who had already taken Tequin and suffered adverse reactions, it was too little, too late.

If you are one of the many who took Tequin before its removal from the public marketplace and experienced complications from usage of the drug, our law office would like to hear from you. Please contact us today and a trained legal professional will help you determine what kind of recourse might be available to you. Together, we can make sure that Bristol-Myers Squibb pays for the problems it caused many unsuspecting consumers.