Non-viral hepatitis (also known as “acute hepatitis”) is liver inflammation caused by toxins, drugs, or other harmful chemicals that destroy cells in the liver (hepatocytes). In October 2013, the supplement OxyElite Pro was linked to an outbreak of non-viral hepatitis.
What You Can Do & How a Hepatitis Lawsuit Can Help
The
Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently non-viral hepatitis induced injury
cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured by
OxyElite Pro or another dietary supplement, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation.
Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation
Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
What is Non-Viral Hepatitis?
Non-viral hepatitis (or acute hepatitis)
is a liver injury caused by inflammation, irritation, or swelling of
liver cells. The disease is a growing problem due to the increasing
number of dietary supplements with liver side effects. Herbal and
dietary supplements were involved in 18% of drug-induced liver injuries
between 2003 and 2011, according to a study funded by the National
Institute of Health (NIH).
Acute hepatitis damages hepatocytes,
make up 70-85% of the total mass of the liver. They are responsible for
metabolizing, detoxifying, and inactivating harmful substances in
drugs. Hepatocytes remove toxins from the blood and convert them into
substances that can be excreted through the kidneys in urine, or through
stools in bile.
FDA Warning for Acute Hepatitis Outbreak Linked to OxyElite Pro
In October 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a Drug Safety Communication
to warn that OxyElite Pro, a popular dietary supplement, has been
linked to 24 out of 29 reported cases of acute non-viral hepatitis in
Hawaii. According to the FDA:
“Eleven of
the 29 cases have been hospitalized with acute hepatitis, two cases
have received liver transplants and one person has died. CDC is also
looking at other cases of liver injury nationwide that may be related.”
Symptoms of Non-Viral Hepatitis
Dietary supplements, including OxyElite Pro, have been linked to acute hepatitis.
Symptoms appeared very rapidly, within a matter of days or weeks of
taking the supplement. In the initial phase of hepatitis, symptoms may
be mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include:
Symptoms of acute non-viral hepatitis:
- Abdominal pain (upper-right side, usually not serious)
- Nausea (may have vomiting)
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Muscle or joint pain
- Weight loss
Additional symptoms of advanced non-viral hepatitis:
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin, eyes)
- Dark-colored urine
- Light, pale-colored stools
- Liver enlargement or swelling
- Severe abdominal pain
- Changes in mental state (confusion, lethargy, dizziness)
- Hepatic encephalitis (swelling in the brain)
- Coma
- Death
Complications of Non-Viral Hepatitis
Most
healthy adults can recover from a mild case of non-viral hepatitis
without suffering long-term complications. The liver can heal from minor
injuries. However, scarring in the liver (cirrhosis or fibrosis) can occur when they underlying cause of inflammation is not treated.
- Fibrosis: Over time, chronic inflammation from untreated hepatitis can damage liver tissue and create scar tissue. A small amount of fibrosis is not life-threatening.
- Cirrhosis: Extensive fibrosis (scar tissue) that impairs liver function.
- Liver cancer: Chronic inflammation increases cell turnover in the liver, which increases the risk of cancerous DNA mutations.
- Liver failure: Although uncommon, hepatitis-induced liver failure occurs when the liver is too damaged to perform vital functions.
- Liver transplant: More than 70% of people who receive a liver transplant survive for more than one year. However, between 20-30% of people on the waiting list do not survive long enough to receive a transplant.
- Brain damage: Hepatic encephaloathy occurs when the liver is not able to remove toxins from the blood. It can cause confusion, personality changes, abnormal movements, slurred speech, forgetfulness, drowsiness, and other complications.
Treatment for Non-Viral Hepatitis
The
first step in treatment for non-viral hepatitis is removing the source
of the inflammation. Patients who have recently ingested a dietary
supplement may need to have their stomach pumped (gastric lavage). They
will need blood tests to check for elevated liver enzymes, which is a
symptom of liver damage. Corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce
inflammation. If hepatitis leads to liver failure, a liver transplant is
the only treatment option that can improve survival.
Do I have a Hepatitis Lawsuit?
The
Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently non-viral hepatitis induced injury
cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured by
OxyElite Pro or another dietary supplement, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation.
Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation
Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Attention Lawyers:
We consider a referral from another law firm to be one of the greatest
compliments. If your firm is interested in referring us a case or for us
to send you a list of previous award judgments and/or average referral
fees, please visit the Lawyer Referral section of our website.
What is Non-Viral Hepatitis?
What You Can Do & How a Hepatitis Lawsuit Can Help
The
Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently non-viral hepatitis induced injury
cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured by
OxyElite Pro or another dietary supplement, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation.
Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation
Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
What is Non-Viral Hepatitis?
Non-viral hepatitis (or acute hepatitis)
is a liver injury caused by inflammation, irritation, or swelling of
liver cells. The disease is a growing problem due to the increasing
number of dietary supplements with liver side effects. Herbal and
dietary supplements were involved in 18% of drug-induced liver injuries
between 2003 and 2011, according to a study funded by the National
Institute of Health (NIH).
Acute hepatitis damages hepatocytes,
make up 70-85% of the total mass of the liver. They are responsible for
metabolizing, detoxifying, and inactivating harmful substances in
drugs. Hepatocytes remove toxins from the blood and convert them into
substances that can be excreted through the kidneys in urine, or through
stools in bile.
FDA Warning for Acute Hepatitis Outbreak Linked to OxyElite Pro
In October 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a Drug Safety Communication
to warn that OxyElite Pro, a popular dietary supplement, has been
linked to 24 out of 29 reported cases of acute non-viral hepatitis in
Hawaii. According to the FDA:
“Eleven of
the 29 cases have been hospitalized with acute hepatitis, two cases
have received liver transplants and one person has died. CDC is also
looking at other cases of liver injury nationwide that may be related.”
Symptoms of Non-Viral Hepatitis
Dietary supplements, including OxyElite Pro, have been linked to acute hepatitis.
Symptoms appeared very rapidly, within a matter of days or weeks of
taking the supplement. In the initial phase of hepatitis, symptoms may
be mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include:
Symptoms of acute non-viral hepatitis:
- Abdominal pain (upper-right side, usually not serious)
- Nausea (may have vomiting)
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Muscle or joint pain
- Weight loss
Additional symptoms of advanced non-viral hepatitis:
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin, eyes)
- Dark-colored urine
- Light, pale-colored stools
- Liver enlargement or swelling
- Severe abdominal pain
- Changes in mental state (confusion, lethargy, dizziness)
- Hepatic encephalitis (swelling in the brain)
- Coma
- Death
Complications of Non-Viral Hepatitis
Most
healthy adults can recover from a mild case of non-viral hepatitis
without suffering long-term complications. The liver can heal from minor
injuries. However, scarring in the liver (cirrhosis or fibrosis) can occur when they underlying cause of inflammation is not treated.
- Fibrosis: Over time, chronic inflammation from untreated hepatitis can damage liver tissue and create scar tissue. A small amount of fibrosis is not life-threatening.
- Cirrhosis: Extensive fibrosis (scar tissue) that impairs liver function.
- Liver cancer: Chronic inflammation increases cell turnover in the liver, which increases the risk of cancerous DNA mutations.
- Liver failure: Although uncommon, hepatitis-induced liver failure occurs when the liver is too damaged to perform vital functions.
- Liver transplant: More than 70% of people who receive a liver transplant survive for more than one year. However, between 20-30% of people on the waiting list do not survive long enough to receive a transplant.
- Brain damage: Hepatic encephaloathy occurs when the liver is not able to remove toxins from the blood. It can cause confusion, personality changes, abnormal movements, slurred speech, forgetfulness, drowsiness, and other complications.
Treatment for Non-Viral Hepatitis
The
first step in treatment for non-viral hepatitis is removing the source
of the inflammation. Patients who have recently ingested a dietary
supplement may need to have their stomach pumped (gastric lavage). They
will need blood tests to check for elevated liver enzymes, which is a
symptom of liver damage. Corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce
inflammation. If hepatitis leads to liver failure, a liver transplant is
the only treatment option that can improve survival.
Do I have a Hepatitis Lawsuit?
The
Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently non-viral hepatitis induced injury
cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured by
OxyElite Pro or another dietary supplement, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation.
Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation
Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Attention Lawyers:
We consider a referral from another law firm to be one of the greatest
compliments. If your firm is interested in referring us a case or for us
to send you a list of previous award judgments and/or average referral
fees, please visit the Lawyer Referral section of our website.
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