At the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Primus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. issued a voluntary recall of Limbrel (flavocoxid), in January 2018. Limbrel use has been associated with liver injury and hypersensitivity pneumonitis, a condition in which the alveoli of the lungs become inflamed. Limbrel is a dietary supplement, technically referred to as a medical food product, used to treat osteoarthritis. Although Primus voluntarily recalled its Limbrel products, the company says that it does not agree that a recall was appropriate.
What is Limbrel?
Limbrel is used to decrease pain and inflammation by managing the metabolic processes of osteoarthritis. Although Limbrel is classified as a medical food product, rather than a drug, it is available only by prescription. In November 2017, the FDA advised consumers to stop taking Limbrel due a risk of potentially life-threatening drug-induced liver injury and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
Symptoms to Watch For
Primus stopped distributing Limbrel in December 2017 and recalled all unexpired products in January 2018. Talk to your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of liver injury or hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
Symptoms of liver failure include:
- Jaundice – yellowing or the whites of the eyes or skin
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Gastrointestinal discomfort
Symptoms of hypersensitivity pneumonitis include:
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Pulmonary fibrosis – scarring of the lungs
- Clubbing of the fingers or toes
If you believe that your injuries were caused by taking Limbrel, please talk to an experienced product liability attorney right away to learn more about your rights and potential compensation.
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