Doctor Testifies Pill Killed Woman Drug Called Parlodel Blamed For Mom's Death Soon After Childbirth <TEXT id=txt_posted>POSTED:</TEXT> 7:39 PM EST February 10, 2004 LOUISVILLE -- The family of a Louisville woman is suing a pharmaceutical company over her death in 1993. Mary Margaret Gunderson died five days after giving birth to her second child. Her family says a pill called Parlodel and the company that made it, Sandoz Pharmaceutical, are to blame. �I am convinced that the drug, in fact, killed Mrs. Gunderson,� said Dr. Dennis Petro, on the witness stand in Jefferson Circuit Court Tuesday. Parlodel, or bromocriptine, blocks the release of a hormone called prolactin from the pituitary gland. Prolactin affects the menstrual cycle and milk production. Lawyers for Gunderson�s family -- and other experts across the country -- say the pill is associated with heart attacks, strokes, hypertension and seizures. ============================================== For those of you on Parlodel, I would discuss the risks associated with taking this drug long-term. This is not meant to scare anyone...just to inform. Remember, anyone can have an allergic, and even fatal, reaction to anything. It's best to check out the drugs you're taking, however. My endo offered me spiralactone, a drug that blocks androgens...I declined because the drug is known to cause tumors and cancer. I still have the excess androgens, but it's better than having a foreign drug in my body. Remember to research everything! Take care. Meri |
