Ohio woman says reaction to Mylan drug killed husband

CHARLESTON - An Ohio woman has filed a wrongful death suit against a West Virginia company on behalf of her husband, who allegedly died from an allergic reaction to a product the company produced.

Amy Clanton filed the suit May 9 in Kanawha Circuit Court against Mylan Pharmaceuticals and Mylan Inc. Clanton filed the suit on behalf of the estate of her late husband, Ralph Clanton.

According to the suit, Ralph Clanton was prescribed Phenytoin, a drug that helps to control seizures. Less than a month after the initial prescription, Clanton noticed skin disruptions on his body and his entire eyelid peeled off as his wife placed drops in his eyes, the suit says.

Ralph Clanton was taken to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton and diagnosed with toxic epidermal necrolysis secondary to Dilantin, the brand name for Phenytoin.

Clanton died May 27, 2006, as a result of his ingestion of Phenytoin, the suit says.

According to the suit, Mylan has "reaped huge profits while concealing from the public knowledge of the potential hazard associated with the ingestion" of Phenytoin.

Amy Clanton claims her husband would not have taken Phenytoin if he had known of the risks and dangers associated with the drug.

In the 10-count suit, Clanton seeks punitive and compensatory damages to cover her husband's injuries and pain and suffering, as well the damages to his estate.

Attorney R. Edison Hill is representing Clanton. The case has been assigned to Judge Paul Zakaib.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number 08-C-918