Class action suit targets asthma drug

Xolair (omalizumab), a drug used to treat allergic asthma in adults and children 12 years and older, has been linked to significant health issues such as mini-strokes, heart attacks and blood clots, according to the law firm of Baron and Budd, which has offices in Dallas, Texas, and several other cities.

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Baron and Budd are representing plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit, claiming that Genentech and Novartis, the injection’s manufacturer, knew about Xolair’s serious risks but failed to provide adequate warnings, according to a statement from the law firm.

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“There has not been a recall of Xolair as of this date, but evidence shows the drug can be extremely dangerous for patients,” said Russell Budd, president and managing shareholder of Baron and Budd. “We want to help people who have been injured by these injections to receive compensation."

In September, 2014, FDA determined that a warning label should be added to the drug to inform patients of the potential dangers.

In addition, studies have shown that patients may be at risk for blood clots in the lungs and veins, transient ischemic attacks (also referred to as mini-strokes) and anaphylaxis, an allergic issue that can make breathing extremely difficult. According to researchers, patients are not only at risk immediately after taking the drug, but may also experience problems up to a year after stopping their treatment, the statement said.