The Brief History of Fournier's Gangrene

Diabetes Drug Infection Lawsuit News

Fournier's Gangrene is a very rare disease that has shocked physicians and patients for centuries

Wednesday, February 20, 2019 - Fournier's Gangrene was named by Parisian venereologist Jean-Alfred Fournier in late 1800s and was originally called Gangrene of the Scrotum, Dr. Fournier described the condition as "fulminant gangrene of the penis and scrotum in young men." Today the disease can be described as "synergistic necrotizing cellulitis of the perineum." Surgical debridement of dead tissue at the earliest possible time has always been considered to be the most effective treatment. Prior to the most recent outbreak of Fournier's Gangrene caused by SGLT2 blocker drugs, "diabetes mellitus was reported to be present in 20%-70% of patients with FG8 and chronic alcoholism in 25%-50% patients." Being HIV positive has also added to the population of those at risk for Fournier's Gangrene according to Wikipedia.

Fournier's Gangrene usually starts as an infection or cellulitis near the spot where the skin was broken that allows bacteria to enter the bloodstream usually in the perineum region. The warning signs can be significant pain and swelling. Inflamed tissues is a common sign as gas is created by the organisms. As the infection and inflammation progress, it causes patches of necrotic "dead" skin.

Fournier's Gangrene is a deadly disease that affects mostly males. About 2/3 of the cases of Fournier's Gangrene are males over 55, and those with a compromised immune system such as diabetics. Males over 55 were three times more likely to contract Fournier's Gangrene than younger people. Certain diabetes drugs classified as SGLT2 blockers have been linked by the US FDA as causing Fournier's Gangrene. The drugs to watch for are Canagliflozin (Invokana, Invokamet, Invokamet XR), Dapagliflozin (Farxiga, Xigduo XR, Qtern), Empagliflozin (Jardiance, Glyxambi, Synjardy, Synjardy XR), and Ertugliflozin (Steglatro, Segluromet, Steglujan).

Fournier's Gangrene is an extremely rapidly spreading form of flesh-eating disease affecting the perineum or area in between the anus and scrotum in man and anus and vulva in women. The FDA recently identified 12 individuals that contracted Fournier's gangrene and all were taking one of the listed drugs. If you or a loved one are taking any of the diabetes drugs listed above you need to be particularly aware of the early warning signs that you are developing Fournier's. According to Wikipedia, "Initial symptoms of Fournier gangrene include swelling or sudden pain in the scrotum, fever, pallor, and generalized weakness. More marked cases are characterized by a foul odor and purulent discharge (stench of rotting flesh) from the infected tissue. Crepitus has been reported. It begins as a subcutaneous infection. However, necrotic patches soon appear in the overlying skin, which later develops into necrosis." If you have Fournier's and catch it early enough there is a chance that surgical debridement of dead tissue can be kept at a minimum. You will be hospitalized and immediately given full-spectrum antibiotics both intravenously and topically.

There is nothing subtle about the sight of, pain from, or the stench of rotting flesh from Fournier's, not is the treatment complicated. Up to 30% of Fournier's patient that do not catch the disease early enough die and almost all require surgical amputation of a portion of the genitalia.

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Lawyers for Fournier's Gangrene

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