GranuFlo and NaturaLyte Associated With Dangerously Low Blood Oxygen

You may have heard that the dialysis drugs GranuFlo Dry Acid Concentrate and NaturaLyte Liquid Acid Concentrate have been associated with serious heart problems, including cardiac arrest and heart attacks. But these aren’t the only dangerous health conditions associated with these products. Another medical condition that is associated with this is low blood oxygen, a condition called hypoxia or hypoxemia.

In March 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a Class I recall of GranuFlo and NaturaLyte. This is the most serious type of recall and is only issued when it is likely that a drug will cause serious health problems or death. When improperly administered, GranuFlo and NaturaLyte had been found to cause a health condition known as metabolic alkalosis. One effect of metabolic alkalosis is low blood oxygen.

Oxygen is necessary for the body to function. When oxygen levels in the blood are too low, the muscles, nervous system, lungs, heart, and brain may be gravely affected.

Symptoms of hypoxia (low oxygen) include:

• Fatigue
• Headache
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Feelings of euphoria

If hypoxemia is allowed to progress, patients may suffer pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) and/or swelling of the brain. Hypoxemia can also cause coma and death.

Salt Lake City pharmaceutical injury attorney James Esparza works with people who have been injured during dialysis treatment with GranuFlo and NaturaLyte.  If you or a loved one has suffered from hypoxia or hypoxemia after dialysis treatment with GranuFlo Dry Acid Concentrate or NaturaLyte Liquid Acid Concentrate, you may have a Utah GranuFlo injury claim. To learn more, contact the James Esparza Law Firm at 800-745-4050.