Dangerous Drugs and Pharmaceutical Litigation

Personal injury attorneys with experience in product liability law, and specifically in handling defective drug cases, can help to ensure that victims and their families are properly compensated for their losses and expenses and that manufacturers of defective drugs are made to answer for their negligence.

The defective drugs listed on this page represent just some of the many potentially dangerous medications that are currently available at pharmacies around the nation.

Featured Areas of Litigation

Our attorneys are currently investigating claims that many pharmaceutical manufacturers are liable for consumer injuries based on failure to warn of complications, intentionally concealing evidence, or improperly testing products for safety and efficacy. The Xarelto® lawsuit is concerned with patients who experienced adverse bleeding events while taking the anticoagulant medication. Many of these cases proved to be fatal and individual lawsuits are currently being combined into multidistrict litigation (MDL) for the purposes of evidence and discovery. 

We are also looking into the prescription antiemetic Zofran. This medication was originally developed to help prevent nausea for cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments. The manufacturer began aggressively marketing the product to pregnant women as an effective way to cope with morning sickness. Recent studies have now linked Zofran to an increased risk of devastating birth defects, and claims are currently being filed against the manufacturer in the Zofran lawsuit.

The Invokana® lawsuit that our attorneys are working on involves the frequently prescribed diabetes drug and an increased risk of ketoacidosis, kidney failure, heart complications, and bone fractures. This medication has been the subject of several U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety warnings, as well as being noted for adverse events by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP).

Our legal team is also currently investigating claims against Johnson & Johnson concerning products that contain talcum powder. There is mounting evidence that Baby Powder and Shower to Shower® may be the cause of thousands of cases of ovarian cancer. 

Due to recent rulings in litigation against Monsanto over their Roundup® products containing glyphosate, our attorneys are currently researching the chemical's connection to cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Anticoagulants and Antiplatelets 

• Eliquis®: This blood-thinning drug may put some patients at risk of life-threatening internal bleeding.
• Plavix®: Despite claims that this drug helps to prevent heart attack and stroke, research suggests that it may double the risk of heart attack, stroke, and serious internal bleeding.
• Pradaxa®: In 2011, a year after Pradaxa was approved by the FDA for use as an anticoagulant, more than 540 patients died due to uncontrolled bleeding while using the drug.
• Xarelto®: This blood-thinner is also associated with irreversible and uncontrollable internal bleeding events.

Anticonvulsants

• Depakote®: This anti-seizure drug has been associated with an increased risk of birth defects when taken by pregnant women with epilepsy.
• Lamictal®: Another widely prescribed anti-seizure medication, Lamictal has been associated with numerous disorders, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a life-threatening skin reaction.
• Lyrica®: Used both as an anti-epileptic drug and a neuropathic pain medication, Lyrica has been associated with increased risk of suicidal thoughts and life-threatening allergic reactions.
• Topamax®: Women who use Topamax to manage their epileptic seizures or prevent migraines during pregnancy are at dramatically increased risk of giving birth to a child with oral cleft defects.

Antidepressants and Antipsychotics

• Abilify®: This popular antidepressant has led some users to develop compulsive behaviors, including pathological gambling habits.
• Effexor®: Women who take this antidepressant while pregnant are at higher risk of giving birth to a child with congenital heart and oral cleft defects. The drug has also been linked with an increased risk of suicidal behavior.
• Invega®: Some men who have used the injectable antipsychotic drug Invega have developed female breasts, a condition known as gynecomastia.
• Lexapro®: Like Effexor, Lexapro has been associated with a high incidence of birth defects when taken by pregnant women.
• Paxil®: One of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, Paxil has been linked to a heightened risk of suicidal behaviors and an increased risk of giving birth to a child with congenital heart defects when taken by pregnant women.
• Prozac®: Women who take Prozac® while pregnant are at increased risk of giving birth to a child with birth defects.
• Risperdal®: Like Invega, Risperdal has been associated with the development of female breasts in male patients, a condition known as gynecomastia.
• Seroquel®: This antipsychotic drug has been linked with an increased risk of diabetes, tardive dyskinesia, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a life-threatening condition that produces such adverse symptoms as stiff muscles, fever, and kidney problems.
• Serzone®: Patients who use this antidepressant are three to four times more likely to suffer liver failure than people who do not.
• Symbyax®: The use of this antidepressant has been associated with an increased risk of stroke, transient ischemic attacks, and birth defects.
• Zoloft®: Women who use this antidepressant while pregnant are at heightened risk of giving birth to a child with congenital heart defects, spinal bifita, oral cleft defects, skull defects, and club feet.
• Zyprexa®: Use of this antipsychotic drug has been linked to an increased risk of diabetes and pancreatitis.

Arthritis and Pain Relief Drugs

• Arava®: This drug, used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, has been associated with severe liver disease, including multiple deaths from liver toxicity.
• Bextra®: Now withdrawn from the market, Bextra was linked to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and serious skin disorders.
• Celebrex®: The popular pain reliever Celebrex has been connected to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and blood clots.
• Fentanyl Pain Patch: Fentanyl is more powerful than morphine, and when it leaks via a defective patch, it can cause a lethal overdose.
• Lyrica®: This medication is commonly used to treat nerve pain, but has been associated with an increased risk of birth defects.
• OxyContin®: The addictive properties of this pain-killing drug have earned it comparisons to heroin. So far, OxyContin has been linked to more than a hundred deaths.
• Tylenol®: One of the most commonly used pain relieving and fever reducing medications in the world, acetaminophen is known to cause liver damage.
• VIOXX: Long off the market, VIOXX was linked to severe cardiovascular problems, costing the drug's manufacturer, Merck, billions of dollars to settle thousands of lawsuits.

Birth Control Drugs

• Ortho Evra®: Use of the Ortho Evra birth control patch has been linked to an increased risk of pulmonary ebolism, or massive blood clotting.
• Yasmin/Yaz®: Yasmin and Yaz birth control pills have been associated with an increased risk of serious cardiovascular problems and blood clotting.
• Depo-Provera: This injectable form of birth control has been linked to an increased incidence of pseudotumor cerebri, a dangerous condition characterized by increased intracranial pressure.

Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Drugs

• Benicar®: Many patients who have used this blood-pressure medication have reported serious gastrointestinal problems.
• Crestor®: Crestor, a popular cholesterol-lowering drug, has been associated with an increased risk of diabetes, kidney damage, and rhabdomyolysis, a potentially fatal disease that attacks the muscles.
• Lipitor®: Another high-profile cholesterol-fighting medication, Lipitor has been linked to an increased incidence of type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes Drugs

• Actos®: This drug, used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and heart failure.
• Avandia®: Like Actos, Avandia has been connected to an increased incidence of both heart attack and heart failure.
• Byetta®: The injectable diabetes medication Byetta has been associated with an increased risk of thyroid tumors and pancreatic cancer.
• Invokana®: Complications from this medication and other similar SGLT2 inhibitors include an increased risk of kidney failure, heart conditions, hip fractures, and ketoacidosis.
• Janumet®: Users of Janumet may be more likely to develop pancreatic cancer and other disorders of the pancreas.
• Januvia®: The parent drug of Janumet, Januvia has also been linked to an increased risk of pancreatic problems.
• Onglyza®: Onglyza® and other DPP-4 inhibitor medications have been linked to an increased risk of pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and heart failure.
• Victoza®: The side effects of this diabetes drug may include pancreatitis, kidney problems, and thyroid cancer.

Dialysates 

• GranuFlo®: This dialysis drug, manufactured by Fesenius Medical Care, was recalled by the FDA in March 2012 due to its link to low blood pressure and cardiac arrhythmia, both of which can lead to cardiac arrest and death.
• NaturaLyte®: Also produced by Fesenius Medical Care, NaturaLyte was recalled by the FDA at the same time as GranuFlo for precisely the same reasons.

Hormone Replacement Drugs

• Premarin®: Used to treat symptoms of menopause, Premarin has been linked to an increased risk of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, heart disease, lupus, and scleroderma.
• Prempro®: Also used to treat symptoms of menopause, Prempro has been connected to an increased risk of breast cancer. 

Other Commonly Prescribed Drugs

• Accutane®: Many users of this popular acne medication have developed serious bowel problems.
• Chantix®: A well-publicized drug to help smokers kick the habit, Chantix has been associated with a high rate of psychological problems and suicide attempts among its users.
• Concerta®: Prescribed to treat ADHD, this medication was one of the first extended-release formulations containing the active ingredient in Ritalin®.
• Fosamax®: This drug, used to treat or prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, has been linked to degenerative bone damage and fractures.
• Levaquin®: This medication, along with other fluoroquinolone drugs such as Avelox® and Cipro®, have been linked to peripheral neuropathy.
• Lotronex®: Used to treat the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, Lotronex has been known to cause such extreme constipation that some sufferers have required surgery.
• Meridia®: This now-recalled anti-obesity drug was associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Mirapex®: Many patients who have used this medication to treat the symptoms of their Parkinson's disease or restless legs syndrome have developed compulsive behaviors, such as an addiction to gambling or sex.
• Nexium®: Available in both prescription strength and over-the-counter formulations, Nexium® is commonly recommended to treat heartburn symptoms but has been connected to serious adverse complications, including bone fractures, heart attacks, and kidney disease.
• Prednisone: This synthetic corticosteroid is used in a variety of applications, including the treatment of allergies and psoriasis. Its side effects may include an increased risk of osteoporosis, a degenerative bone disease.
• Reglan®: Used to treat heartburn, Reglan may cause tardive dyskinesia, a condition marked by involuntary body movements.
• Taxotere®: Commonly prescribed as part of a chemotherapy regimen for cancer treatment, this drug has been linked to many cases of permanent alopecia.
• Viagra®: This well-known treatment for erectile dysfunction may cause skin cancer and vision loss.
• Zithromax®: A widely prescribed antibiotic, Zithromax is associated with heart problems, including irregular heartbeat.
• Zofran®: Although Zofran has proven effective in controlling nausea in pregnant women, it has also been linked to an increased risk of birth defects, including heart defects, oral cleft defects, and kidney malformations.

Vaccines

• Autism
• RhoGAM®
• Thimerosal

The American Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

When the side effects of an FDA-approved drug outweigh its benefits, the FDA issues a drug recall. In some cases, a manufacturer voluntarily recalls a drug before the FDA mandates its recall.

In addition to recalling drugs, the FDA monitors drugs currently on the market and, if needed, makes changes to labeling information (e.g., indications, side effects, and warnings). The FDA also receives and considers petitions from consumer advisory groups.

Consult a Dangerous Drug Attorney

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective drug, you are encouraged to contact a defective drug attorney in the ImpactLaw directory for a case evaluation.