Mesothelioma Symptoms Increasingly Important to Recognize
Between 1940 and 1979, it is estimated that 27.5 million people were occupationally exposed to asbestos in the United States. As a result, it is increasingly important that doctors and patients be able to recognize the symptoms of mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer that is nearly always associated with exposure to asbestos. What can make mesothelioma so dangerous is the fact that it is one of the most deadly forms of lung cancer, combined with the fact that it can be so often misdiagnosed as a less serious lung malady.
AED Recall - 12,200 Cardiac Science Defibrillators Recalled
Cardiac Science, the maker of popular automated external defibrillators (AED), has voluntarily recalled close to 12,200 defibrillators due to a recent internal investigation that found a manufacturing defect that could potentially cause the device to fail when it was needed most - during a resuscitation attempt. Powerheart 9300A, 9300E, 9300P, 9390A, 9390E, Cardiovive 92532, and the CardioLife 9200G and 9231 AEDs manufactured or serviced between October 19, 2009 and January 15, 2010 should be returned at the expense of the company.
Zetia Not as Effective as Claimed
Recent studies have placed popular cholesterol drug Zetia under fire for being unable to unclogged arteries thus preventing heart attacks. Zetia, along with its sister drug, Vytorin, are on track to do more than $4 billion in sales despite multiple studies that suggest they do not perform as advertised. Leading cardiologists have advised patients to use cholesterol drugs like Zetia and Vytorin only if his or her cholesterol levels have not improved on other medication.
$41.5 million settlement reached in Vytorin lawsuit
A recent study has shown cholesterol drugs Zetia and Vytorin, which combines Zetia and generic Zocor, are not as effective as once claimed. This comes months after Merck and Schering-Plough agreed to pay $41.5 million in August 2009 to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing them of withholding unfavorable results of the popular cholesterol drugs Vytorin and Zetia. Three studies in the last two years have shown that a prescription version of the drug niacin reduced artery plaque significantly more than the ezetimibe, the active ingredient in Zetia and Vytorin. Additionally, Vytorin side effects have been linked to an increase rate of cancer deaths.
Levaquin Issued Black Box Warning from FDA
The FDA will now require the popular antibiotic, Levaquin (levofloxacin) and other fluoroquinolone drugs to carry a “black box” warning – the strongest warning the FDA can issue without demanding a recall. Levaquin has been linked to a high risk of tendon rupture and tendonitis, especially in patients over the age of 60, or in patients who have received a heart, lung or kidney transplant. Levaquin is used to treat bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections, sinus infections and bronchitis.
Singulair Warning Issued by FDA
Amid mounting concern regarding reports of increasingly serious negative side effects, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning regarding the asthma drug Singulair. According to the FDA, there may be a connection between Singulair and suicidal thoughts and behaviors in patients. A study has been undertaken by the FDA to determine the extent of the connection.
Anti-Smoking Drug Chantix Gets Public Health Advisory
Following building concern on the connection between Pfizer's anti-smoking aide Chantix and erratic behavior in patients, the FDA has issued a public health advisory to caution Americans on the possible adverse side effects of Chantix. These side effects can include the further worsening of preexisting psychiatric illness or causing a recurrence of past psychiatric issues, as well as the incidence of depressive or suicidal behaviors where none have existed before.
Diabetes Drug Avandia Linked to Heart Attack Risk
In details recently released from a study to be published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the diabetes drug Avandia has been linked with a 43 percent increased risk of heart attack. As a response to this new information, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a new warning for Avandia, cautioning those patients with Type 2 diabetes who are taking the drug that they should contact their doctors to asses the risk posed by Avandia, although the FDA stopped short of recommending any Avandia recall.
Brain Injuries Receive Increasing Attention as Signature Injury of Iraq War
As more and more American soldiers return from combat operations in the Iraq War, a disturbing trend is emerging among servicemen and women: a high prevalence of mild or even sever traumatic brain injury. Because of the high incidence of improvised explosive devices (commonly known as IEDs), large numbers of US soldiers are falling victim to concussive injuries and their sometimes debilitating after-effects. These after-effects can stretch on for months, even years, and may require more treatment than the military can provide. Also potentially dangerous are those brain injuries that go undiagnosed until after a soldier has been discharged, creating a position where compensation or treatment for the injury may be more difficult to get.
Tractor Trailer Truck Accidents Increasing
With the number of commercial trucks on American highways continuing to increase every year, it is important for motorists to remember important safety guidelines when driving around or near large commercial trucks. In addition, it is important for motorists who may have been injured in accidents with commercial trucks to be aware of the laws and regulations concerning commercial trucking safety, as well as what legal options victims of such accidents may have.
Yasmin Lawsuits Arise due to Alleged Gallbladder Disease
Yasmin, Yaz and the generic Ocella birth control pills have been linked to potentially fatal health issues including heart attacks, strokes, pulmonary embolism and gallbladder disease. One of the main ingredients, drospirenone, may be responsible for the increased cardiovascular risk, as it has been linked to an increase in potassium levels in the blood. Although Bayer has upheld the safety of the drugs, several Yasmin lawsuits have been filed nationwide.
FDA Orders More Stringent Ketek Warnings
The FDA has ordered the manufacturer of Ketek (telithromycin), a popular antibiotic drug used to treat respiratory infections, to include more stringent side effects warnings on packaging after the drug was linked to liver damage, liver failure, and death. A Congressional investigation is underway to determine whether the FDA inappropriately approved the drug after a fraudulent clinical study in Ketek's trial phase.
Cipro Linked to Tendonitis and Possible Rupture
Cipro (ciprofloaxacin) is an antibiotic manufactured by Bayer A.G. and is used to treat bacterial infections, although it is not recommended for victims of the common cold or flu. Studies published in the early 2000s noted an increased incidence of Achilles' tendon rupture among patients taking Cipro, and reported that there may be cause for a Cipro warning that links the drug's use to the risk of tendinitis. Most recently, the FDA issued a "block box" warning for the drug, as well as other similar antibiotics. The "black box" warning label is the harshest warning the FDA can give a drug without demanding a recall.
Ortho-Evra Lawsuits Emerge Over Stroke Claims
Ortho-McNeil, the manufacturer of the popular Ortho-Evra birth control patch, is facing new lawsuits based on claims that patients experienced strokes and other heart problems while using the patch. The FDA previously warned that the patch exposes women to higher doses of estrogen than the birth control pill.
Chinese Drywall May Be Contaminated
According to several reports, drywall imported from China and used in the construction of homes between 2001 - 2007 may be contaminated with toxic chemicals. According to some toxicologists, the drywall is releasing strontium sulfide, a chemical that could be damaging to children. Additionally, many homeowners with contaminated Chinese drywall suffer from respiratory problems, central nervous system problems, and ailments affecting their vital organs. The federal government issued several reports that links the contaminated drywall to corrosion within the homes.
Proton Pump Inhibitors May Cause Bone Fracture
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) decrease the amount of acid in the stomach. The stomach contains a pump, called the gastric acid pump, which produces stomach acid. PPIs bind to this pump and block the secretion of acid into the stomach. This decreases stomach acid and provides relief to patients suffering with GERD (gastroesophagael reflux disease), acid reflux disease, ulcers, heartburn and other discomforts caused by stomach acid. PPIs are a class of drugs including several medications such as Nexium, Prevacid, Aciphex and Prilosec. Recent studies show that when taken for long periods of time, proton pump inhibitors may cause increased risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis.
Danger of Trasylol Featured on 60 Minutes
In a segment aimed at informing the public of a serious potential public health threat, the news program 60 Minutes recently illuminated the full breadth of danger posed by the blood clotting agent Trasylol. In the report, the news program illustrated not only the danger of Trasylol, but also how swifter action by the FDA might have saved American lives.
Airbag Failures Lead to Recalls
Although airbags are one of the great automotive safety innovations of our time, sometimes defective airbags can fail when motorists might rely on them most to provide potentially life-saving protection during a collision. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is constantly monitoring the situation surrounding airbags and whether they are being held to strict quality standards. Even with this constant monitoring, safety hazards do occur where airbags fail and do not protect automobile passengers as they should.
Digitek Digoxin Recalled Due to Manufacturing Defect
Actavis Totowa, a prominent pharmaceutical company, has recalled its prescription drug Digitek, used to treat heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. The drug was recalled due to the fact that some of the Digitek digoxin tablets were manufactured containing twice the approved level of the active ingredient. The toxicity of the digoxin tablets can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, cardiac instability, low blood pressure, bradycardia, and possibly death.
Medtronic Defibrillator Lead Recalled By Manufacturer
Medical device maker Medtronic has announced it is voluntarily suspending distribution of its Sprint Fidelis defibrillation leads because fractures in the leads have been detected in a number of patients. This voluntary recall came after Medtronic identified five patients whose deaths may have been related to a fractured Sprint Fidelis defibrillator lead. As a result of Medtronic's action, no more Sprint Fidelis leads will be sold or manufactured and any remaining product will be pulled from inventory and returned to the company, according to the FDA.
Growing Momentum in Fosamax Lawsuits
After years as Merck's second best-selling drug, Fosamax, an anti-osteoporosis drug known to increase bone density in patients, has come under fire for its connection with osteonecrosis (bone death) of the jaw. In March 2006, the FDA announced that dead jaw lead to death in some patients taking Fosamax.
