CLAY COUPLE FILES SUIT OVER MEDICATION

(07/07/2008)
Lola and Johnnie Smith of Clay County have filed a suit in Kanawha Circuit Court, after Lola Smith suffered a stroke and other injuries while taking the drug Digitek.

Lawsuits have recently been filed against Mylan, which distributes Digitek, also known as Digoxin.

The medication is used for treatment of various heart conditions, including atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter and heart failure that cannot be controlled by other medications.

According to the suit, it has a limited margin between effectiveness and toxicity.

Lola Smith suffered from heart arrhythmia and was prescribed Digitek by her doctor.

She then suffered vision disturbance, weight loss, dizziness, fainting, cardiac instability, stroke and other damages, according to the suit.

Smith claims she was given twice the approved level of Digitek.

In the seven-count suit, Smith and her husband seek compensatory damages to cover the medical expenses, as well as punitive damages for their other injuries.

Mylan says another company, the manufacturer of the drug, is responsible, that company recalled the drug. Mylan says they just distributed the medication.