People who suffered heart attacks from GranuFlo or Naturalyte—or their surviving loved ones—have filed lawsuits against Fresenius Medical seeking damages for their injuries. Fresenius, the maker of GranuFlo and Naturalyte, agreed to a $250 million settlement in early 2016 as long as 97% of plaintiffs agreed to it by July 2016.
However, it is still important to understand why people were hurt and why they sought relief in court for the significant injuries that they suffered.
What are GranuFlo and Naturalyte?
GranuFlo and Naturalyte are products that are used during kidney dialysis. Specifically, they are chemicals that are used to balance the acidity and alkalinity of blood during dialysis. They are different from most dialysis products because they contain a chemical that converts to bicarbonate inside the blood. If the dosage is not carefully monitored, the patient can develop too much bicarbonate in the blood.
People receiving dialysis have an elevated risk of heart problems and blood clots in comparison to the general population, but according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), people treated with GranuFlo or Naturalyte are at an even higher risk of suffering a heart attack.
Complications Associated with GranuFlo and Naturalyte
Some of the serious side effects linked to GranuFlo and Naturalyte include:
- Heart arrhythmia.
- Heart attack.
- Heart failure.
- Stroke.
- Metabolic alkalosis.
In May 2012, the FDA issued a class I recall of GranuFlo and Naturalyte.
But for Some People This Was Too Late
Many people were hurt by the serious side effects described above, and many of people who were hurt took action by pursuing a legal claim. To learn more about their claims, please read our FREE book, GranuFlo & Naturalyte: What You Need to Know About It. If you’ve been hurt or a loved one has died because of a specific drug, then it is also important to contact an experienced pharmaceutical class action lawyer for additional information about your rights.