Have You or Your Loved Ones Been Prescribed These Dangerous Drugs
Unless you've been living under a rock, you're already aware that just because a prescription drug is on the market and approved by the FDA- that doesn’t mean that it’s safe. It’s certainly true that it should be- but that’s not always the case. And by now, you’re used to every new drug commercial ending with a long, high-speed, legal disclaimer running off a laundry list of potentially serious and life-threatening side-effects.
As consumers this is something we’ve come to accept. If you want to cure a health-related issue, you are likely taking on the risk of experiencing other health problems. Patients are often left with no other choice or take a prescription drug or undergo a medical device or implant surgery because they believe they are well-informed of all of the potential issues and that the benefits outweigh the associated risks.
And, although drugs, both over the counter and prescription, are required to carry warning labels, sometimes consumers are not given all the information. A number of drug manufacturers abuse the loopholes and the “looser” guidelines set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) so they can get a product approved quickly and start making money while failing to adequately warn of the dangers and the seriousness of the drug side effects. They even market their drugs for off-label uses which are not FDA approved. The following list below contains dangerous drugs and devices made by some of big pharma’s most unscrupulous offenders. These drugs can cause serious and sometimes fatal side-effects or complications which were not reasonably cautioned by their manufacturer when the product was first put on the market.
Actos: Also known as Pioglitazone, patients have developed bladder cancer after long-term exposure while taking this drug to help control blood sugar in patients with Type 2 Diabetes.
Androgel: A testosterone replacement therapy used by adult males suffering with low-testosterone is now linked to increased risk of heart-attack and stroke in men. It is also extremely dangerous product to leave lying around the house as just one accidental topical application can be disastrous for women and children. Improper use of the drug in women and children has resulted in inappropriate enlargement of the genitalia, premature development of pubic hair, advanced bone age, increased libido and sexual behavior, and other serious hormonal issues which can result in long-term complications and certain cancers with prolonged use.
Benicar: Patients prescribed the high blood pressure medication Benicar, have experienced chronic diarrhea with substantial weight loss, severe gastrointestinal problems, and life-threatening complications associated with sprue-like enteropathy (chronic diarrhea) and villous atrophy (inflammation of the small bowel mucosa and atrophy of the villi that aide in pushing digested matter through the intestine).
DePuy Hips: Depuy has recalled the ASR XL Acetabular and ASR Hip Resurfacing Systems manufactured by DePuy Orthopedics as an overwhelming number of patients were experiencing issues with the loosening of the ASR cup, severe allergic reactions to metallic debris pseudo-tumors (soft tissue mass that can form as a result of reactions to excess metallic debris) cobalt or chromium poisoning and certain cancers.
Lipitor: Pfizer, makers of the popular cholesterol-lowering drug, Lipitor, failed to adequately warn consumers about the increased risk of developing type 2 Diabetes, as well as kidney and liver, muscular disease as a potential result of taking this drug.
Paxil and Zoloft: These types of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), when taken during pregnancy can result in birth defects in the form of rare heart and lung conditions in newborns, autism spectrum disorders, Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN) anencephaly, cleft lip, cleft palate, club feet, respiratory distress syndrome, and withdrawal symptoms.
Phentolamine, Papaverine and Alprostadil: More commonly known as Caverject Impulse, Edex, Bi-mix, Tri-mix, Quad-mix, and the Alprostadil based suppository called Muse are penile injections used to treat severe erectile dysfunction (ED). These drugs are usually a last resort before penile implant surgery as they come with a high risk of developing priapism, a painful disorder where a man’s erection lasts for longer than four (4) hours. Priapism can leave males who suffer from this complication impotent for life. In some cases, doctors prescribed these drugs to patients whose ED cases were mild and did not warrant such extreme treatment. In some cases men have developed infections, penile deformities and even become permanently impotent because of permanent damage to the blood vessels and tissue of the penis.
Power Morcellators Litigation: A large number of patients developed unsuspected uterine sarcoma, a type of uterine cancer that includes leiomyosarcoma after they underwent a hysterectomy or myomectomy in which a laparoscopic, power morcellator was used. In November of 2014, the FDA warned surgeons that they should avoid the use of laparoscopic power morcellators for removing uterine tissue in the vast majority of cases due to the risk of the devices spreading unsuspected cancer.
Risperdal and Invega: Risperdal triggers the production in boys of prolactin, a hormone that stimulates breast development and milk production. Young men and boys can develop abnormally large breasts and exhibit other unusual hormone related symptoms.
Stryker Hips: Patients who received the Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II modular hip implant systems and have suffered tissue damage, have high metal particle levels in their blood stream, and/or were compelled to undergo revision surgery to remove the defective implant.
Transvaginal Pelvic Mesh: The less invasive technique for insertion of this device through the vagina, a recommendation by the manufacturer itself, has contributed to complications such as erosion of the vaginal tissues, organ perforation, urinary problems, lower back pain, and serious infections.
Zofran: The use of the anti-nausea prescription drug, Zofran has been linked to birth defects and fatal complications in the unborn babies of pregnant mothers taking the drug. Some of these defects include: cleft lip, cleft palate, musculoskeletal abnormalities, jaundice, fetal growth restriction, and fetal death.
Great lawyers for cases involving dangerous drugs
The Rocky McElhaney Law Firm is proud to represent clients across the state of Tennessee and have even helped folks from all over the United States. When you want attorneys who understand how to win a case, you want us. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or has been diagnosed with an illness as a result of taking a prescribed drug or due to a defective medical device or implant, call today for a free consultation. We fight for you (615) 425-2500.
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