GranuFlo dangers are documented, but product is still used

People who rely on dialysis to survive are taking a risk each time they hook up to the machine. This is because the machine actually pulls blood from the body, filters it and returns it to the body. At each step during this process, there are risks.

The medications that a dialysis patient takes adds another layer of risk to the process. For patients who have used GranuFlo, there is a chance of heart damage and even death. The risk is even higher when the product isn’t prescribed appropriately.

GranuFlo was officially recalled in 2012, but the product is still used by some dialysis centers because the product wasn’t pulled from shelves. The issue with this drug is that it can lead to unsafe levels of serum bicarbonate. This can lead to an increased risk of heart attack.

In fact, patients who use GranuFlo are six times more likely to have heart attacks and fatal heart stoppages than other dialysis patients. When this issue was first raised, it led to a safety memo in November of 2011. This noted that there were 941 deaths in 2010 linked to this drug.

Patients who use GranuFlo during the course of their dialysis treatments need to be aware of the issues related to this drug. Not only is there an increased risk of cardiac episodes, there is also a risk of strokes.

If you were harmed by GranuFlo, you might opt to seek compensation for the damages that you suffered. This can include claims for your medical bills and other expenses. You would either file a medical malpractice lawsuit or a product liability claim, depending on the root cause of the issue.

Source: FindLaw, “GranuFlo Injury Overview,” accessed June 29, 2017