LYMErix

LYMErix is prescribed to treat Lyme disease and was introduced to the market in 1998. Lyme disease is transmitted through tick bites. During the time that it was on the market, 400,000 people were prescribed LYMErix. The makers of the drug discontinued distribution of the vaccine in 2001 because of concerns about side effects.

Some of the side effects that have been attributed to LYMErix include arthralgia, myalgia, pain, asthenia, headache, fever, flu and rashes. It has also been linked to severe arthritis and even Lyme disease itself.

LYMErix has been thought to cause arthritis symptoms, and in its first two years on the market, there were 905 adverse-event reports, such as swelled joints and aching muscles.

Also, patients who have had prior exposure to Lyme disease may see that LYMErix triggered or reactivated the condition. In fact the drug has been thought to actually give patients the disease they were treating.