FDA & Prescription Drugs | InjuryBoard Orlando

The New England Journal of Medicine published a study that indicated an increased cardiovascular risk associated with Avandia (rosiglitazone), a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes. The study indicated an increase of about 40% in the risk of myocardial infarction among patients receiving Avandia as compared with those receiving either an alternative oral diabetes therapy, such as metformin, or...

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Folks across the United States and the world are concerned about the cemicals used in common household products - like toothpaste. How do you make sure the product you are using won't poison your family? Well, for one things - you better stay on top of the news and product alerts! Due to recent concerns raised across the globe reagrding the safety of toothpaste made in China, the government...

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A bill working its way through Congress could limit the advertising pharmaceutical companies can do directly to consumers. Advocates of the bill argue that such a restriction is necessary given the fact that too often drugs already on the market prove to be harmful to consumers. The proposed legislation would restrict drugs from being advertised for the first two years they are on the market. ...

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The FDA has called on Johnson & Johnson, the manufacturer of Ditropan, to publish a stronger warning regarding the potential hallucinogenic risks for children and the elderly. Ditropan is used for bladder problems. The drug, also known as oxybutynin, already lists insomnia, nervousness, confusion and other central nervous system risks on its label, but FDA staff reviewers said more explicit...

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The irritable bowel drug Zelnorm has been been suspended due to links with such heart related ailments as angina, heart attacks, and strokes. Zelnorm, manufactured by Novartis, is the second drug in two days to come off the market for links to heart problems.

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Permax will be pulled from the market after the FDA asked Valeant Pharmaceuticals International to stop marketing the drug which had been used to treat Parkinson's disease. Permax has been linked to heart valve damage in two recent stuides. According to the FDA, approximately 12,000 to 25,000 people now take the drug. If you've taken Permax, please consult your healthcare physician for...

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While the homeopathic medicine market is booming, the effects of such remedies can prove fatal if not properly monitored by health experts. The problem with some homepathic remedies is that they are sold over the counter and are not monitored by the FDA or prescribed by doctors. Researchers writing in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases stated that, "results suggest that routine...

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The federal government has widened its probe of prescription drug maker Johnson & Johnson for its marketing practices. Specifically, the company is coming under further scrutiny for its antipsychotic Risperdal; Topamax, a treatment for epilepsy and migraines; and Natrecor, for patients suffering from severe heart failure.

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An Atlantic City jury has awarded an Idaho man $47.5 million, $27.5 million of the total comprised punitive damages in the ongoing litigation against the pharmaceutical giant Merck. The verdict in the case of Frederick "Mike" Humeston, who was granted a second trial in light of new evidence, means Merck has now won nine cases and lost five in the mushrooming litigation over its former...

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Fatal drug overdoses have overtaken every type of accidental death other than auto crashes in the last five years. The prevalence of poorly tested, poorly administered, and aggressively marketed drugs plays a large role in the jump. Drug companies such as Eli Lilly have overly promoted their products in pursuit of greater profits to the detriment of the consumer. The latest, most egregious...

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Trasylol, the anti-bleeding agent used with patients undergoing cardiac surgery, has been found to increase the risk of death by 50%. A five-year study of 3876 patients given aprotinin also had a significantly higher death rate than those given two similar drugs to prevent bleeding. Researchers from the Ischemia Research and Education Foundation in San Bruno, California, assessed survival rates...

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Recent research linking statin heart drugs with Parkinson's disease has led to an investigation involving tens of thousands of new patients. Researchers in the US are sufficiently troubled by the potential link that they will launch a full trial involving upwards of 16,000 participants. If the link is proven, it will cause a major shift in the manner in which heart related issues such as high...

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According to an article published in the Wall St. Journal, the drugs pergolide and cabergoline have been found to cause heart valve damage at an alarmingly high rate (4-7 times). The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine and has renewed calls for the drugs to be discontinued. Valeant Pharmaceuticals International and Pfizer, manufacturers of the drugs, were less strong in...

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A study published this week in The Jouranl of the American Medical Association, there is a connection between hip fractures and certain heartburn drugs such as Prilosec, Nexium, and Prevacid. All three medications are proton pump inhibitors. The largest risk was found in those taking large doses of the drug for more than a year.

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Kava Kava, known for its mood enhancing capacity, is coming under increasing scrutiny after studies have shown it to cause liver toxicity, even death. There are many forms of Kava Kava and it can be ingested in pill form or liquid tea. Its popularity has given rise to various Kava Kava bars popping up. However, GNC ordered the dietary supplement to be removed from its stores as long ago as...

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