Plaintiff Alleges Oral Antifungal Caused Low Platelet Count

ATLANTA - A Georgia man is suing Novartis, the manufacturer of Lamisil, claiming that his use of the oral antifungal caused his platetlet count to reach dangerously low levels requiring hospitalization in the intensive care unit for several days. John A. Cali v. Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Corp., No. 03-CV-2768 (N.D. Ga., Atlanta Div.).

The suit, filed in the Atlanta Division of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, states that the manufacturer failed to adequately warn consumers of the drug's side effects and misrepresented the safety of Lamisil in its advertisements.

On Sept. 19, 2001, Cali received from …