Woman Says Pfizer’s Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Caused Sepsis, Amputation of Limbs

EL DORADO, Ark. — A new lawsuit accuses Pfizer Inc. of failing to warn patients and doctors that its rheumatoid arthritis drug Xeljanz can cause sepsis in older patients, leading to necrosis and amputation.

The July 18 complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas by a woman who underwent amputation of her arms and legs due to sepsis allegedly caused by Xeljanz. She and her husband claim the drug’s European label warned of such risks, but that Pfizer omitted such warnings from its United States label in order to increase profits.

In March …