5 Common Dangerous Drug Lawsuits
Advances in modern medicine have resulted in the development of new drugs and medications that are beneficial for improving the quality and the length of life for individuals with various diseases. Some of these drugs however, are capable of producing serious side effects that are harmful to consumers. A drug manufacturer’s failure to properly test new drugs for safety or warn consumers of potential side effects can cause innocent people to suffer injuries. Here are a few of the most common dangerous drug lawsuits today:
Risperdal
Risperdal is an antipsychotic drug that is used for treating mental illness, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In 2012 and again in 2013, a judge ordered Risperdal’s manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson, to pay settlements to consumers who suffered serious side effects as a result of taking the drug. Johnson & Johnson was also punished for illegally paying kickbacks to physicians and nursing homes, encouraging them to frequently prescribe the drug. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, Tardive Dyskinesia, diabetes, high blood sugar, and stroke are all potential devastating side effects of taking the drug.
Zoloft
Zoloft is another medication commonly prescribed to treat mental illness, such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Zoloft is currently under investigation by the FDA for the undisclosed side effects it is causing in patients who are pregnant or taking certain medications for the treatment of migraine headaches.
There is also an increased risk of suicide when taking this drug. Zoloft’s manufacturer, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, may be held responsible for failing to properly test the drug for these side effects or failing to issue warnings about these side effects to prescribers and patients.
Pradaxa
Pradaxa is a kind of anticoagulant medication, more commonly known as blood thinner, prescribed to patients with irregular heartbeats. Patients with an irregular heartbeat condition called atrial fibrillation (A-fib) may reduce their risk of blood clot, heart disease, or stroke by taking a blood thinner medication regularly. Pradaxa has been marketed as a competitor drug to the common traditional blood thinner, Coumadin. Coumadin requires patients have their blood evaluated weekly while Pradaxa does not.
Recent lawsuits against Pradaxa’s manufacturer, Boehringer Ingelheim, claim that the company failed to warn consumers of the drug’s serious and potentially fatal side effects. Recent research has shown that patients taking Pradaxa have a 33% greater chance of developing coronary heart disease than those who take Coumadin. And because Pradaxa requires no weekly blood monitoring, it presents a higher risk for internal bleeding.
Yaz
Yaz is a popular birth control pill, manufactured by Bayer Healthcare, prescribed for pregnancy prevention and to treat moderate acne and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Bayer Healthcare warned consumers of some of the drug’s side effects such as nausea and weight gain, but failed to warn users of potentially dangerous side effects such as heart attack, breast cancer, blood clots, and high blood pressure.
Lipitor
Lipitor is a statin drug used by millions of Americans for managing cholesterol. Lipitor works with the chemicals in the liver to reduce LDL or “bad” cholesterol and increase HDL or “good” cholesterol levels in the body. Recent research has shown that statins may increase a person’s risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, liver damage, and memory loss. As a result, in 2012, the FDA mandated that statin drug manufacturers update their labels to warn prescribers and patients of this risk. Lipitor’s manufacturer, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, failed to specifically state these potential side effects on their labels.
Drug side effects can be dangerous and can cause those who experience them to suffer with complicated and expensive medical problems for the rest of their lives. Filing a lawsuit against the drug manufacturer can prevent others from experiencing the same side effects and can help you get the money you need to pay your medical bills.
If you or someone you love has suffered serious side effects as a result of taking prescription medications, an Omaha, NE drug litigation lawyer from the office of Welsh & Welsh can help. Contact our experienced legal team for a free, zero-obligation consultation of your case.
