Rezulin

Rezulin, which is generically known as troglitazone, works to reduce the amount of sugar produced in the liver. Rezulin is prescribed to type II diabetics to help control blood sugar levels. Nearly two million people were prescribed the drug before it was recalled in 2000. Rezulin was manufactured by Warner-Lambert and was approved by the FDA in 1997. It was reported that Rezulin generated approximately $1.8 billion before it was recalled.

The manufacturer of Rezulin voluntarily recalled the drug after safety reviews showed serious side effects that were attributed to the drug. Rezulin has been linked to liver toxicity that can result in liver failure. Although the manufacturer had advised doctors to monitor patients’ liver health while taking the drug, some users showed rapid onset of liver toxicity. 90 cases of liver failure have been attributed to Rezulin, including 63 deaths.