Drug Injury Lawyer Blog

Two Recent Studies Underscore Addiction Risks of Nexium and Prilosec

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 15:14:46 -0500

The American Journal of Gastroenterology recently reported the results of its Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) clinical trial in “Dyseptic symptoms development after discontinuation of a proton pump inhibitor: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial, which confirmed an earlier study in Gastroenterology, entitled “Proton-pump inhibitor therapy induces acid-related symptoms in healthy volunteers after withdrawal of therapy,” - concluding that these types of medications actually induce the very symptoms they are used to treat. In other words, many of the people taking these medications to treat heartburn-related symptoms, end up with worse heartburn if they attempt to stop taking the medications. These studies finally provide an answer as to why so many people have been taking these medications for so many years and are resigned to taking them for the rest of their lives.

Zinc Cold Remedies Linked to Loss of Smell

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 10:13:15 -0500

A new study published in the Archives of Otolaryngology – a journal of the American Medical Association – reports a link between over-the-counter zinc cold remedies and a loss of smell.

Next Round of Product Liability Lawsuits Could Go Against Makers of Biosimilar Drugs

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:15:20 -0500

While Obama’s new Healthcare Reform laws have given approval to the next generation of lower cost, breakthrough drugs, called “biosimilar” drugs, these drugs will apparently not be required to undergo the same intensive clinical trial scrutiny as most other drugs. And while these drugs are similar, they are not the same and surely carry additional and different risks. Biosimilars are virtually identical formulas of drugs previously approved by the FDA; however, these “follow on-biologic” drugs are compounded drugs that are subsequent versions of innovator biopharmaceutical products – the are NOT generic drugs.

Finally a Black Box Warning for Arava

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 16:44:08 -0500

On July 13, 2010, the Food and Drug Administration reported in a drug safety alert, that it is requiring Sanofi-Aventis to place a black box warning on its rheumatoid arthritis drug, Arava. Since Arava warnings were strengthened more than seven years ago in 2003, at least 14 people have died due to Arava-induced liver damage and another 49 people suffered severe liver injury. And this is after Public Citizen a consumer watchdog organization, warned the public that there were at least 130 cases, including 56 hospitalizations and 12 deaths prior to 2002. Since 2003, there has been a bolded warning on the label alerting physicians to the possibility of liver injury from Arava.

Benefits of ADHD Drug Overstated

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:01:35 -0500

Last week, as reported by the Associated Press, the FDA forced Shire, PLC to retract certain promotional materials after it scrutinized the claims made by the company regarding the benefits and risks of its drug Intuniv.

Rapamune Off-Label Marketing Allegations

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:24:21 -0500

In February 2010, federal prosecutors opened an investigation into promotional efforts by Wyeth – which is now under the umbrella of Pfizer, following their merge in late 2009 – relating to its transplant drug, Rapamune (sirolimus). Rapamune is a “immunosuppressive agent indicated for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in patients … receiving renal transplants.” In other words, the drug is meant to help the body accept a kidney transplant.

Antidepressants Now Linked to Cataracts, Blindness

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:42:44 -0500

Add blindness to the growing list of side effects caused by antidepressants like Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro, Effexor and Zoloft. It is well-known that these drugs have been linked to suicide and cardiac birth defects, among others, but now, a June article published in the medical journal Opthamology, has connected these popular drugs with cataracts in the elderly, potentially resulting in blindness for those individuals over the age of 65.

Testosterone gel linked to heart attacks and stroke

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:14:30 -0500

A June 30, 2010 article published in the New England Journal of Medicine and recently reported in Business Week, and Reuters has concluded that a new testosterone gel appears to raise the risk of heart-related problems in older men with limited mobility. This topical gel, thought to increase muscle mass in older men, prevents disabilities by helping them sustain strength and energy; however, the results of this recent study show that this gel also may cause heart attacks, strokes and chest pain, as well as skin problems.

J&J and McNeil Recall Update

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 10:17:29 -0500

Add five more lots of over-the-counter medicines – four of Benadryl and one of Extra Strength Tylenol – to the growing number of products recalled by Johnson & Johnson’s McNeil Consumer Healthcare division this year.

Veteran’s Affairs Hospital Infection Scandal

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 10:07:23 -0500

Earlier this week, the John Cochran VA Medical Center in St. Louis, Missouri began sending letters to armed forces veterans to advise them that they may have been exposed to blood borne pathogens while receiving dental care at the facility.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Lawsuits on the Rise Even After Accutane is Pulled From the Market

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:32:34 -0500

On February 16, 2010, a unanimous New Jersey jury awarded over Twenty-Five Million Dollars ($25,000,000) to a young man who had five surgeries and had his colon removed as a result of Accutane-induced Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). This verdict was reached after a retrial of the same case where a previous jury awarded $2.62 million and is the largest verdict of the six Accutane lawsuits to go to trial. Since the verdict, over one hundred (100) new Accutane cases have been filed in New Jersey alone, adding to the over eight hundred (800) cases still awaiting a trial date.

"Phantom Recall" of Motrin by McNeil Consumer Healthcare in 2009

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 12:15:46 -0500

Even after the recent string of product recalls, including a massive May 2009 recall of over 40 children’s medications, for McNeil Consumer Healthcare, the pharmaceutical arm of Johnson & Johnson, the bad news keeps piling up.

Intravenous Medications Recall

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 12:25:07 -0500

The FDA has announced a Public Health Alert and a recall of a handful of intravenous medications manufactured by Claris Lifesciences.

Alli and Xenical Diet Drugs Can Cause Liver Damage in Rare Cases

Thu, 27 May 2010 10:24:48 -0500

The Food and Drug Administration has recently added a warning to the popular diets drugs, alli® and Xenical®.

Suicide Warnings on Two Painkillers Increased

Wed, 26 May 2010 16:28:42 -0500

Johnson & Johnson strengthened the warnings concerning the risk of suicide with painkillers Ultram and Ultracet after deaths were reported in patients with a history of emotional disturbance or drug and substance abuse. Ultram and Ultracet are indicated for the management of moderate to moderately severe chronic pain. In letters released yesterday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"), J&J has informed doctors the Prescribing Information for the drugs has been updated to explain that the active ingredient, opioid tramadol, contained within the drugs may be more potent when combined with alcohol, different painkillers or drugs that depress the central nervous system.