May 22, 2001-Dimetapp Makers Sued Over Death

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The parents of a 10-year-old boy who suffered a stroke and eventually died after taking Dimetapp filed a $ 41 million lawsuit against the makers of the popular over-the-counter cold medicine. Brad and Donna Walker of Portland accuse American Home Products Corp. of being negligent and failing to provide warnings that a key ingredient in the medication could be dangerous for children. A similar lawsuit was filed in federal court in Philadelphia Monday by a Pennsylvania woman who suffered a debilitating stroke a day after taking Dimetapp. Vicki D. Vogt of Honeybrook, Pa., is seeking $ 40 million.

The lawsuits do not appear to be linked. Officials with Madison, N.J.-based American Home Products, the nation's fifth-largest drug maker, did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment Monday. Last November, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned that dozens of over-the-counter cold medicines and diet pills contain phenylpropanolamine, or PPA, that could cause hemorrhagic strokes, especially in young women.

The unusually strong warning led a number of major drug store chains to strip the products from shelves, while drug makers reformulated the medicines to remove PPA. Dimetapp, like many other drugs that used PPA, has since been reformulated. Mathew Walker suffered a seizure on June 17, 1996, after his pediatrician told his mother to give him Dimetapp to avoid an ear infection from swimming. The boy died at a Portland hospital in October 1999, after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke, which is rare in children. He lapsed into a coma and never regained consciousness.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury as a result of taking any drug or supplement, call The Law Offices of Rosenberg, Kirby, Cahill & Stankowitz now at (732) 341-3337 or CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A SIMPLE CASE FORM. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to review your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds. Don't delay! You may have a valid claim and be entitled to compensation for your injuries, but a lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires.

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