NEW ORLEANS – A Jefferson Parish doctor is suing the manufacturer of a drug used to treat epilepsy and panic disorders as well as the doctors who prescribed and the pharmacy that dispensed it.
Dr. Robert Dawson claims that after ingesting the drug Clonazepam - marketed as Klonopin - he suffered physical aggressiveness, rudeness, agitation, offensive behavior, insomnia, recklessness, impaired judgment and exhaustive spending habits.
He filed suit in Orleans Parish Central District Court in February against Walgreens Pharmacy, Mylan Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Denese Shervington, Dr. William Lo and their insurers claiming he was not warned of the drug's side effects.
Clonazepam is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of epilepsy and panic disorders.
The defendants are accused of failing to warn of harmful side effects, failing to provide adequate and timely counseling, failing to protect patient harm, failing to warn of drug interactions and failing to monitor or recognize the signs and symptoms of the drug.
Dawson is seeking compensation for pain and suffering, mental anguish, diminished lifestyle, loss of financial assets, public humiliation, loss of professional licenses, damage to professional reputation and extensive legal fees.
Dawson is representing himself in the case.
This case has been assigned to Division F Judge Christopher J. Bruno.
Case no. 2013-01367.
Doctor claims drug's side effects included 'rudeness' and 'offensive behavior'
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