Class Claims Morphine Tabs Were Too Strong

CLAYTON, Mo. (CN) - Ethex Corp. sold oversized morphine sulfate tablets, sending a man to a hospital, he claims in a class action St. Louis County Court.

Ethex makes and sells drugs that include Hydromorphone HCI, Propafenone HCI, Isosorbide Mononitrate, Morphine Sulfate and Dextroamphetamine Sulfate, according to the complaint.

"Oversized" refers to a pharmaceutical tablet that contains a larger dose than the advertised on the label. Named plaintiff Howard Fox claims the morphine tablets he took contained twice the dose indicated on the label, which caused him to overdose. He lost consciousness and spent three days in a hospital.

The lawsuit proposes two classes. Class A represents any customer who suffered damages by taking Ethex's oversized Hydromorphone HCI, Propafenone HCI, Isosorbide Mononitrate, Morphine Sulfate and Dextroamphetamine Sulfate tablets. Class B represents customers who suffered reactions after taking Ethex's oversized Morphine Sulfate tablets. Both classes seek damages and an injunction prohibiting Ethex from continuing to sell the oversized drugs; both are represented by Neil Smith.

Follow @joeharris_stl

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Email *

Submit