{"id":353278,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:56","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/product-liability\/granuflo-injury-overview.html"},"modified":"2024-03-06T13:19:54","modified_gmt":"2024-03-06T18:19:54","slug":"granuflo-injury-overview","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/product-liability\/granuflo-injury-overview.html","title":{"rendered":"GranuFlo Injuries: Legal Information and Recalls"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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GranuFlo Injuries: Legal Information and Recalls<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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GranuFlo is a dialysis additive once widely used to help prevent acid buildup in patients with kidney failure. However, studies linked improper dosing of GranuFlo to serious heart complications, including cardiac arrest and death.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the FDA issued a Class I recall in 2012. Thousands of lawsuits were filed against its manufacturer, Fresenius, for failing to warn patients and healthcare providers of the risks.<\/p>\n

Millions of Americans suffer from advanced or chronic kidney disease<\/a>. Many of these patients rely on kidney dialysis for treatment. GranuFlo is a prevalent dialysis drug manufactured by\u00a0Fresenius Medical Care<\/a>. The company also administers thousands of dialysis treatment centers nationwide.<\/p>\n

Health studies have revealed a link between the use of GranuFlo and severe heart problems. In some cases, these complications have been fatal.<\/p>\n

This article explains GranuFlo and how it helps patients with kidney problems. It also discusses the risks and injuries you may suffer while using GranuFlo. You’ll also learn what to do if you or your loved one suffers an injury from GranuFlo or other dialysis products.<\/p>\n

Drug manufacturers have a legal obligation to ensure their products carry adequate warnings and are free from defects. If you have been harmed by GranuFlo or another drug, contact a product liability attorney<\/a> to see if you have a claim. An attorney can advocate for your rights throughout the legal process and fight for fair compensation.<\/p>\n

GranuFlo Used in Kidney Dialysis<\/h2>\n

People experiencing kidney failure rely on\u00a0hemodialysis<\/a>\u00a0(dialysis) for treatment. During dialysis, the technician hooks the patient up to a dialysis machine. This machine takes the place of the patient’s failing kidneys.<\/p>\n

The dialysis machine filters various fluids, waste, and salt from a patient’s blood.<\/p>\n

GranuFlo is a bicarbonate additive medical professionals use during dialysis to prevent acid buildup in the patient’s blood. Unfortunately, an improper dosage of this additive can cause serious side effects.<\/p>\n

Research Links GranuFlo to Heart Attacks<\/h2>\n

Medical researchers first linked GranuFlo to serious heart problems in 2010.<\/p>\n

In 2011, Fresenius conducted an internal study on GranuFlo to see if it caused an increased risk of heart attacks. The study found that improper doses of GranuFlo were\u00a0responsible for cardiac arrest in 941 patients\u00a0<\/a>in 2010 alone.<\/p>\n

The study also found that patients using GranuFlo were six times more likely to experience heart attacks or cardiac deaths than other dialysis patients. The internal memo instructed Fresenius dialysis centers to monitor each patient’s bicarbonate prescription closely.<\/p>\n

The company failed to notify other dialysis centers, clinics, or healthcare providers of this risk. Subsequent reports have also identified the side effects of GranuFlo.<\/p>\n

These reports included the following adverse side effects of GranuFlo:<\/p>\n