Acheson Whitley Sweeney has filed a class action lawsuit in Canada against the manufacturers of the medication Prepulsid (Cisapride) also known as Propulsid. If you have taken Prepulsid, and have experienced heart-rhythm problems or cardiac arrhythmia, please send an email including your full name and address. We will contact you with more information regarding the class proceeding.

Prepulsid Information

Prepulsid is the Canadian trade name for the drug Cisapride (it is marketed as Propulsid in the U.S.) It was sold by Janssen-Ortho, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, in Canada. The medication was used for treatment of acid reflux, also known as gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), or heartburn.

Under the direction of Health Canada, Prepulsid was withdrawn from the market on August 7, 2000. This was done because of the growing concern regarding serious cardiac problems caused by the drug. Since its introduction in 1990, Health Canada has received at least 44 reports of cardiac rhythm abnormalities and 10 reports of death. In the U.S., there have been 341 reports of abnormalities and 80 fatalities. Due to underreporting of incidents, it is estimated that the number of serious reactions to the drug is possibly many thousands of times larger.

The medication was approved for the treatment of adult nighttime heartburn due to GERD. Some people with heartburn have a weakened valve that allows the stomach acid to back up the esophagus, which causes a burning sensation in the chest. Prepulsid tightens the valve between the esophagus and the stomach and hastens the movement of gastric contents through the stomach.

The cardiac problems reported to be caused by Prepulsid are:

ventricular tachycardia,

ventricular fibrillation,

QT interval prolongation,

torsades de pointes,

cardiac arrest, and

sudden death.

If you have experienced any of these problems after taking Prepulsid you should contact your physician immediately.

Although the above symptoms may be reported when Prepulsid is taken alone, the risk of problems becomes even greater when it is taken with other medications such as:

antibiotics (such as clarithromycin, erythromycin),

antihistamines (such as astemizole, terfenadine),

antidepressants (such as nefazodone, malprotiline, amitriptyline),

antipsychotics (such as pimozide),

antifungals (such as fluconzaole, itraconazole and ketoconazole),

protease inhibitors (such as indinavir, ritonavir), or

grapefruit juice,

antiarrhythmics (such as quinidine, procainamide, sotalol),

anticoagulants,

iuretics (furosemide, the thiazides).

Prepulsid should not be taken by anyone with a history of heart problems, respiratory problems, pulmonary disease, or conditions that result in electrolyte imbalance such as severe dehydration, vomiting or malnutrition, or anyone with eating disorders, renal failure, or anyone taking insulin.

Since Prepulsid’s introduction in 1990, the warning label has been revised at least 5 times to make the warnings of possible life threatening reactions progressively stronger. Finally, on August 7, 2000, Health Canada announced that the risks associated with the drug were not manageable and the drug would no longer be available on the market.

If you, or someone you know, has taken Prepulsid and experienced problems you should:

stop taking the drug immediately,

contact your physician for a cardiac examination,

Email Acheson Whitley Sweeney and we will send you an information package by regular mail ,

preserve all evidence such as prescriptions and pill containers.

This class action applies to Canadian residents only

For more information regarding Prepulsid check out the FDA web page at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/1998/propul.htm and also http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/ANS00882.html