Other Defective Drugs

Accutane®

Accutane® is a prescription acne medication that is used to treat severe acne when other medications have failed. Accutane® is also sometimes used to treat rosacea and other skin disorders. Due to the tendency of Accutane® to cause birth defects, there are special precautions taken when the drug is prescribed to women. Prior to prescribing Accutane® to a woman, the doctor will ask her to sign a consent form and undergo a blood test to make sure that she is not pregnant (this test will be administered monthly while she is taking the drug). In addition, the doctor will advise the woman to use two forms of birth control simultaneously while taking Accutane®.

Actos®

Actos® is a prescription medication designed to help patients with type 2 diabetes control their blood glucose levels. Unfortunately for many patients, multiple medical studies have linked Actos® to the onset of bladder cancer, congestive heart failure, organ damage, and many other troubling complications.

Avandia

Avandia is a prescription medication for the management of type 2 diabetes. To date, the most serious health risk associated with Avandia has been a significant increase in risk of heart attacks, heart failure, and other cardiac danger. Other risks include low blood sugar and liver disease. 

Chantix®

Chantix® (varenicline) is a prescription anti-smoking drug designed to lower nicotine cravings and ease nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Chantix® received FDA approval in 2006 after the drug was proven to block the brain receptors responsible for the pleasurable effects of smoking. In February 2008 the FDA issued a Chantix® public health advisory and warning. Prescribing physicians and Chantix® users were cautioned that the drug had been linked to neuropsychiatric symptoms, including depression, agitation, and actualized suicidal behavior. In the statement issued by the FDA, the public was also alerted that Chantix® may raise the reoccurrence risk of past psychiatric illness or may aggravate current mental illness.

Concerta®

Concerta® is a medication that is prescribed to adults and children to treat the symptoms of ADHD. The drug is an extended-release formulation of methylphenidate, the same active ingredient in Ritalin®. Concerta® patients have experienced many troubling complications, including adverse cardiovascular and psychiatric events. The FDA has issued several safety announcements and warning label revisions for this class of drugs.

Fentanyl Pain Patch

Fentanyl is an opioid type pain medication used for the treatment of chronic or severe pain. It is 100 times more powerful than the illegal drug heroin and the legal drug morphine. The drug Fentanyl is administered through a variety of methods. The most common method of administration is a Fentanyl pain patch. In most cases accidental Fentanyl overdose happens when a patient wears a defective Fentanyl patch. A defective Fentanyl patch can leak dangerous amounts of Fentanyl into the patient's body too quickly. The Fentanyl patch is meant to be time released so that the medication is released at safe an even intervals.

Fluoroquinolones

Fluoroquinolones, such as Cipro®, Avelox®, and Levaquin®, are a class of antibiotic drugs that are used to treat a wide variety pf bacterial infections. Recent research has shown an increased incidence in peripheral neuropathy among patients who have been prescribed this type of medication.

Invokana®

Invokana® is a type 2 diabetes medication that helps to mantain safe blood glucose levels. However, patients have suffered an increased incidence of ketoacidosis, a condition where acid is allowed to build up in the blood stream, and other complications.

Lotronex®

Lotronex® is a prescription drug used to treat the symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition that causes abdominal pain as well as diarrhea and/or constipation. Lotronex® should only be used by women whose primary IBS symptom is diarrhea. The FDA issued a recall of Lotronex® in November 2000 due to approximately 50 cases of ischemic colitis and 20 cases of severe constipation. Many patients objected to the recall of Lotronex® and petitioned for its return to the market. After careful consideration, the FDA has allowed the return of Lotronex® with restrictions - physicians must sign up with the manufacturer of the drug in order to prescribe it, and patients, as well as the physician, must sign a physician/patient agreement form stating that they understand the risks associated with Lotronex®.

Mirapex

Mirapex is a prescription medication used to treat Parkinson's disease and restless leg syndrome (RLS). Mirapex is a dopamine agonist, which means that it works similar to dopamine, a naturally occurring brain chemical. Much like natural dopamine, Mirapex binds to dopamine receptors and stimulates them. A dopamine deficiency is likely responsible for many of the symptoms of Parkinson's. Common dangers associated with Mirapex include narcolepsy, skin cancer, and impulsive actions.

Nexium®

Nexium® is available in both over-the-counter and prescription strengths, and is commonly recommended to treat heartburn symptoms, ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, many patients have experienced complications after taking the drug, including heart attacks, bone fractures, and kidney disease.

Onglyza®

Onglyza® is a type 2 diabetes drug that has recently been linked to an increased risk of heart and pancreatic complications in patients who are taking the medication.

Oxycontin®

OxyContin®, or oxycodone hydrochloride, is a powerful prescription painkiller that is used to reduce the pain associated with arthritis, cancer, back pain, and other injuries while producing feelings of euphoria.

Phenylpropanolamine Hydrochloride (PPA)Prempro®

PPA, or phenylpropanolamine, is an ingredient that was found, until November 2000, in many over-the-counter cold remedies and diet drugs, as well as prescription cold medications. PPA was used as a decongestant in cold medicines and as a weight loss ingredient in diet pills. As with any drug, there are side effects associated with PPA. The most dangerous side effect of PPA is hemorrhagic stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke is a condition in which an artery in the brain ruptures and the subsequent blood puts pressure on brain tissue, causing brain damage. There are two types of hemorrhagic stroke: intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Although this side effect has thus far only been seen in women, men may also be at risk.

Prempro

Prempro is a type of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that combines estrogen and progestin. It is used as a substitute for taking estrogen alone, which has been found to increase the risk of uterine cancer. A seven-year study that sought to determine the effectiveness of long-term Prempro use was halted in July 2002 when researchers discovered that the drug led to an increased risk of breast cancer, stroke, and blood clots.

Propulsid®

Propulsid, or cisapride, was a prescription heartburn medication used to relieve the symptoms of nighttime heartburn associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The FDA issued a recall of Propulsid in March 2000 after reports of 341 heart rhythm abnormalities and 80 deaths. The Propulsid recall came after several attempts by the FDA to strengthen the warnings on the drug.

Reglan

The prescription drug Reglan is used for the treatment of various ailments of the stomach and intestines. The risks of Reglan include muscle movement disorders such as a severe, often permanent, and sometimes life-threatening neurological disorder called tardive dyskinesia. Tardive dyskinesia causes severe and rapid movements of the tongue, face, mouth, trunk, and limbs. They can affect a person's ability to walk and talk, among many other complications.

Rezulin®

Rezulin, or troglitazone, was a prescription diabetes drug that was used to control Type 2 diabetes in combination with insulin or sulfonylurea. Rezulin helped to regulate blood glucose levels, effectively controlling diabetes. However, increasing evidence that Rezulin was linked to liver toxicity led the FDA to issue a recall of Rezulin. 

Taxotere®

Taxotere® is a chemotherapy drug that is often used in combination with other medications to treat various forms of cancer. Taxotere® has recently been linked to many cases of permanent alopecia (hiar loss) following completion of the treatment regimen.

Tylenol®

Tylenol® is one of the most popular pain relievers in the world. The active ingredient in Tylenol®, acetaminophen, is toxic to the liver and is the most common form of drug poisoning and acute liver failure in the United States each year.

Viagra®

Most people are familiar with the medication Viagra®. Many people are not aware that the drug is associated with an increased risk of developing melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer.

Xarelto®

Xarelto® is an anticoagulant medication that is used for patients who are at an increased risk of developing a dangerous blood clot. However, many patients have suffered adverse bleeding events while on the medication, leading many to file claims against the manufacturer.

Yasmin/Yaz

Yasmin (drospirenone/ethinylestradiol) is a prescription oral contraceptive taken by women who want to prevent pregnancy. Yasmin stops ovulation, alters the cervical mucus, and alters the lining of the uterus. Yasmin and Yaz contain drospirenone, a synthetic progestin that increases potassium levels in the body. Elevated potassium levels, or hyperkalemia, can cause heart problems and other adverse side effects.

Zofran

Zofran is a prescription medication that was originally intended to treat nausea in cancer patients who were going through chemotherapy and radiation. The manufacturer also aggressively marketed the drug towards expectant mothers as a safe treatment for morning sickness. However, the drug may be associated with an increased risk of birth defects, leading many to file claims against the manufacturer.

Find a Defective Drugs Lawyer

If you or a loved one has suffered the adverse side effects of one of these dangerous drugs, contact a defective drugs attorney. A lawyer with experience in pharmaceutical litigation can evaluate your claim and determine if you have a case.