Defective Drugs
Oklahoma Defective Drug Lawyers Looking into Risperdal Side Effects in Boys
The Oklahoma defective drug lawyers at Maples Law Firm are looking into disturbing cases where young boys taking the antipsychotic drug Risperdal started to develop breasts. At least six lawsuits have been filed in Philadelphia against Johnson & Johnson, the company that manufactures Risperdal, alleging that the young male plaintiffs developed breasts while taking Risperdal.
According to those complaints, the problems stem from the hormone prolactin that can be elevated both in males and females who take the medication. Some of the boys who took Risperdal had to undergo mastectomies to get rid of their bosoms.
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FDA Adds Warnings to Yaz, Yasmin, and Other Birth Control Pills
Federal health regulators have said they will add labeling to contraceptive pills containing the synthetic hormone drospirenone, such as Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella, indicating the risk of blood clots. According to an Associated Press news report, the labeling will apply to Bayer’s Yaz, its predecessor Yasmin, and other drospirenone-containing drugs. The synthetic hormone, which is found in newer generation contraceptive pills, mimics the naturally occurring female hormone progesterone. The decision by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) comes in the wake of several recent research studies showing an elevated risk of blood clots for users of birth control pills with drospirenone. Women taking these pills have reported blood clots in their legs. These clots can become fatal if they travel to the heart, lungs or brain.
If you are a woman taking these drugs, you can take precautionary steps to prevent these dangerous side effects. First, talk to your doctor and see if the benefits of taking the drugs outweigh the risks. Also, do address your risk factors. Smoking, obesity, or diabetes could raise your risk of blood clots if you are taking these pills.
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First Levaquin Case Results in $ 1.1 million in Punitive Damages from Johnson & Johnson
A jury in Minnesota awarded $1.1 million in punitive damages to an 82-year-old man whose Achilles tendon ruptured after taking the prescription drug Levaquin, reports Bloomberg. The article states that Johnson & Johnson, as well as its pharmaceutical unit Ortho-McNeil-Janssen, did not adequately warn doctors or patients of the risks of taking Levaquin, which includes the possibility of tendon rupture. This case was the first of about 2,600 filed against the company. The jury found that Johnson & Johnson acted in blatant disregard for the people who would be using their drug. The plaintiff’s attorney stated, “We’re thrilled with the outcome and feel the jury followed the evidence and came to the right decision… they sent a clear message: Pharmaceutical companies should put their patients ahead of their profits.”
Levaquin is part of a family of pharmaceutical antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. The 82-year-old plaintiff was also prescribed steroids in addition to Levaquin when he was suffering from a respiratory infection back in 2005. Because Johnson & Johnson did not adequately warn consumers about the risks of taking the drug, which includes a possible adverse affect when combined with steroids, the man’s doctor prescribed the two medications together. Prior to the injury that the man sustained because of using Levaquin, he was very active for his age. However, since his drug-related injury, his activities have been extremely limited.
Accutane & Crohn’s Disease – Side Effect Information
Accutane is a medication intended for the treatment of severe acne. It was first introduced in 1982 and has been used by more than 16 million patients worldwide. Citing growing competition from generics and a string of Accutane lawsuits, the makers of the drug pulled it from the U.S. market in 2009. However the medication continues to remain in use in other countries.
Throughout its history, Accutane has been linked with several severe side effects including birth defects and suicide. It has also been linked to inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn’s disease, a chronic illness that affects the digestive tract. Crohn’s disease is often characterized by the following symptoms:
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Reglan Metoclopramide Tardive Dyskinesia Risks
Consumers in Oklahoma and throughout the United States rely on pharmaceutical products to help alleviate illness, medical conditions and other ailments. However, what happens when a prescribed medication or over-the-counter drug causes an individual to suffer severe side effects, endure serious injury, or become afflicted by another health problem altogether?
While the answer to this question may not always be so simple, drug manufacturers are responsible for designing, manufacturing, accurately marketing, and including appropriate warning labels for the pharmaceutical products that they put on the market.
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