Every medication has potential benefits as well as risks, and the decision to take them isn’t made lightly. Patients rely heavily on their doctor’s input to make these decisions, and that doctor gets their information from the manufacturer. However, drug manufacturers sometimes withhold risk information from doctors in the name of increasing their products. This is a breach of their legal duty, and it can give patients and doctors a case to mount a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer. This may prove to be the case with Ditropan, as studies are now linking the drug to an increased risk of dementia among elderly patients.
By now, dozens of patients have already begun filing individual lawsuits over Ditropan’s potential link to dementia. If you might have been affected by this, the experienced product liability attorneys of Console & Associates, P.C., are ready to help. Just give us a call at 866-778-5500 or complete our online form for a free consultation on the Ditropan controversy and your right to pursue compensation.
The method of action for drugs such as Ditropan relates to something called muscarinic cholinergic transmission, a function involving the synapses of the brain and nervous system. Research has revealed that if these medications can cross the blood-brain barrier, it can harm learning and memory faculties.
The Society for Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine, and Urogenital Reconstruction (SUFU) produced one of several studies to date observing the link between anticholinergics and cognitive function. To date, these studies have consistently shown a link between these drugs and reduced recall, an increased risk of dementia, and the onset of Alzheimer’s.
While the specific symptoms of Ditropan-related dementia may vary, some common symptoms include:
These are life-changing negative effects, which have led health agencies to recommend that anyone using Ditropan should be monitored for early signs of dementia. These signs include hallucinations, agitation, confusion, and somnolence. It’s especially important to monitor these signs among patients beginning Ditropan usage or increasing their dosage.
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Almost 70% of Ditropan patients are between 60 and 80 years old, which is an additional risk factor for drug-related dementia. This is because age weakens the blood-brain barrier, which makes it more likely that Ditropan will enter and damage the nervous system. Many over-the-counter drugs also have minor anticholinergic effects that might not be harmful on their own but will increase the risks of using Ditropan.
Ditropan treats overactive bladder syndrome (OAB), a chronic condition that negatively impacts a person’s quality of life by reducing bladder control during the day and the night. As many as 10% of all Americans and 30% of people over 65 may struggle with OAB. Not only are elderly people the most at risk from using Ditropan, but they’re also its primary market.
Medication is a highly common method for treating dementia, and medications such as Ditropan have numerous known side effects. For instance, oral oxybutynin (Ditropan and Ditropan XL) have common side effects such as:
While the manufacturer reported the above side effects, they made no indication of the dementia risks. If the manufacturer’s irresponsible behavior puts you or a loved one at risk, we’re here to help you make things right.
If you developed dementia or suspect you’ve developed the early signs of the condition after using Ditropan, you may have a defective drug claim. Pursuing litigation could win you several types of damages, such as compensation for dementia treatment as well as your suffering. Not to mention, you’ll be helping to hold a massive corporation accountable for the harm it’s done. Your next step to justice consists of scheduling a free consultation with the product liability attorneys of Console & Associates, P.C. through our online contact form or by giving us a call at 866-778-5500.
