Cylert (pemoline)
Cylert is a drug used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). Made by Abbott Laboratories, the FDA first approved Cylert in 1975. Since then the FDA has received reports of nearly 200 serious side effects from the drug, including 13 reported deaths. Given that only about 10% of adverse events are actually reported to the FDA, there are potentially thousands of people negatively effected by the drug.
The United Kingdom and Canada withdrew the drug years ago in light of a 1995 study indicating a 45 fold increased risk for the development of liver failure in children. The FDA failed to follow suit, and instead demanded that Abbott labs provide a “satisfactory rationale” for keeping the drug on the market. Ultimately, in 1996 the FDA allowed Cylert to remain on the market with the agreement that Abbott maintains a registry to track patients prescribed Cylert. The findings from this registry were never released, and there is no evidence that the registry was ever created.
Nonetheless, the FDA allowed Cylert to remain on the market for another ten years. During this time, studies continued to be released indicating a high increase in the risk of hepatic failure in the users of Cylert. This year, the consumer group Public Citizen petitioned the FDA for the removal of the drug from the market. Only now is Abbott considering withdrawing the drug from the market, citing the drugs declining sales as reason for the withdrawal.
If you or a loved one suffered liver problems while taking Cylert (pemoline) or one of its generic forms, please contact our Cylert lawyers immediately to discuss your legal rights.
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