FDA & Prescription Drugs

• Little Recourse for Patients Injured in Drug Trials

  Mike Damaso | February 06, 2008 5:08 AM | 0 CommentsOrlando, FL

  There was an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal this weekend regarding the problem of patients injured by new drugs during clinical trials having little to no recourse. The article blames the problem on several factors including: 1. Confusing and vague consent forms; 2. Lack of clarity as to which research entity is responsible for subsequent care; 3. Uncertainty as to how much...

• Birth Control Patch Warning Label to be Revised

  Sandy Grinnell | January 24, 2008 5:47 AM | 0 CommentsOrlando, FL

  The FDA has approved changes to the warning labels on the Ortho Evra Contraceptive Transdermal (Skin) Patch. The label will now include a warning that users of the birth control patch were at higher risk of developing serious blood clots, also known as venous thromboembolism (VTE), than women using birth control pills. VTE can lead to pulmonary embolism.The warning comes from a study completed...

• Immediate Heparin Recall by Baxter Healthcare

  Sandy Grinnell | January 23, 2008 10:35 AM | 0 CommentsOrlando, FL

  Baxter Healthcare is voluntarily recalling nine lots of Heparin because of the reports of serious adverse reactions to the injections. Reported adverse events include abdominal pain, decreased blood pressure, burning sensation, chest pain, diarrhea, dizziness, drug ineffectiveness, dyspepsia, dyspnea, erythema, flushing, headache, hyperhidrosis, hypoesthesia, hypotension, increased lacrimation,...

• Popular Cholesterol Drug May Not Work

  Diego Madrigal | January 17, 2008 6:18 AM | 0 CommentsOrlando, FL

  The results of a 2 year clinical study revealed that the popular Cholesterol drug Zetia and the Zetia-containing pill Vytorin may be ineffective. Another interesting aspect of the study was that the pharmaceutical companies that produce the drugs kept missing deadlines to release the findings. The company originally blamed the complex data for the delay, but after news articles and Congress...

• Vioxx Settlement Announced

  Ed Normand | November 14, 2007 9:48 PM | 0 CommentsOrlando, FL

  All over the United States consumers have sued for heart attacks and other serious injuries sustaned from using the drug Vioxx. This drug, heavily advertised as safe and effective, has been implicated in thousands of cases includiing allegations that it has caused widespread cases of death and permanent injury. The manufacturer of the drug vowed to fight all of the lawsuits in court. After...

• Trasylol Sales Stopped by Manufacturer

  Ed Normand | November 05, 2007 1:01 PM | 0 CommentsOrlando, FL

  Bayer has stopped sales of the anti-bleeding drug Trasylol. The sales ban is in response to a recent Canadian study documenting the risks of death in using Trasylol. The FDA could not advocate continued use of the product where the use of it is not outweighed by the risks. Product liability actions can be considered against drug manufacturers that sell a defective or dangerous drug. If you...

• Avoid the Flu - Get Vaccinated!

  Patricia Doherty | October 22, 2007 4:25 PM | 0 CommentsOrlando, FL

  It's time to get your flu shot. Flu season starts in October and comes to a peak in January and February. Once you receive your flu shot it takes two weeks from the time of the vaccination to obtain protection from the influenza virus. So, the sooner you get your flu shot, the sooner you will be protected. Some physicians think that if you don't get vaccinated for the flu by November then its...

• Red Yeast Rice Fans Beware

  Sandy Grinnell | August 12, 2007 1:59 PM | 0 CommentsOrlando, FL

  The FDA has issued a warning to consumers who use red yeast rice in an effort to control their cholesterol. The defective products are sold by two Internet retailers - Swanson Healthcare Products and Sunburst Biorganics and are sold under the following brand names: Red Yeast Rice, Red Yeast Rice/Policosonal Complex and Cholestrix. All three products contain lovastatin, an ingredient found in...

• Avandia: Increased Risk of Heart Attack

  Mike Damaso | July 20, 2007 7:21 PM | 0 CommentsOrlando, FL

  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...

• Protect Yourself and Your Family - Chinese Toothpaste

  Cindy Duque | July 14, 2007 10:39 AM | 0 CommentsOrlando, FL

  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...