Drug Injury « Rainwater, Holt & Sexton

Archive for the ‘ Drug Injury ’ Category

Feb

Manufacturer Seeks FDA Approval Of Controversial Weight-Loss Drug

February 20, 2012

Diet pill manufacturer Vivus Inc. is preparing to make a second attempt to persuade the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve one of their products later this week. According to reports from KATV 7 News, FDA officials still have concerns over the safety of the weight-loss medication the company is seeking approval for.

In October 2010, the FDA rejected the company’s proposal for approval of the diet pill Qnexa, saying they needed more information regarding the drug’s safety. Among the risks the FDA was concerned with were potential heart problems and birth defects in the children of women who became pregnant while taking the drug.

Qnexa is a combination of two other drugs that have a long history of complications and abuse potential. One of the main active ingredients in the drug is phentermine, a stimulant that acts as an appetite suppressant and was part of the dangerous fen-phen weight loss combination associated with serious heart complications.

On Wednesday, Vivus will resubmit their proposal by offering to conduct a follow-up study to monitor patients for heart problems after short-term use of the drug.

The Arkansas Drug Injury Lawyers with Rainwater, Holt & Sexton would like to remind you to discuss the risks of taking a medication with your doctor and pharmacist before starting a drug regimen. If you feel it may be unsafe to take a drug, do not hesitate to seek a second opinion from another qualified physician.

Jan

New Study Links Daily Aspirin Use With Blindness

January 9, 2012

While many who take an aspirin daily to help ward off the risks of a heart attack believe they are doing themselves a favor, new research may prove the contrary. According to THV 11 News, a new study published in Ophthalmology has found that while taking Aspirin may reduce the risks of heart disease and strokes, it may increase the risk of developing macular degeneration–or blindness.

The study, which was conducted by the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, examined 4,691 patients, all of who were 65-years of age or older, from seven different locations across Europe. Data showed that 17.3 percent of those patients took Aspirin on a daily basis. What researchers found so disturbing was that the more Aspirin the patients took, there was a steady increase in both occurrence and severity of macular degeneration. One out of every four of the patients suffered from the condition.

When the patients who did not consume Aspirin daily were examined, researchers found that the number dropped in half. The study concluded that further studies on the topic are needed in order to confirm their findings.

The Arkansas drug injury lawyers with Rainwater, Holt & Sexton suggest talking with your doctor if you are taking Aspirin on a daily basis. They would also encourage contacting an attorney immediately if you suffer from macular degeneration and have taken a daily dose of Aspirin for an extended period of time.

Jan

Migraine Medication Might Put Heart Health at Risk

January 2, 2012

Those who suffer from migraine headaches know that there is little to be done to stop the constant pounding once it starts. So, when you find a pain reliever that works, you stick with it. However, a recent study shows that a surprising number of patients who suffer from migraines are being prescribed medications they shouldn’t take because of heart conditions they also suffer from.

The findings were reported late last month by FOX 16 News and show that one in five patients with heart conditions who also suffer from migraines were given prescriptions for a class of drugs called triptans. These triptans are very effective in treating migraines and work by constricting blood vessels up to 20 percent. This constriction could cause a person with a history of heart issues to suffer any number of pulmonary problems, bust most commonly heart attacks and strokes.

Researchers pinpointed more than 120,000 patients who suffered form migraines from ten different insurance providers. Data collected from these cases determined that eight percent of all the patients suffered form both migraines and heart conditions. Of those patients, 22 percent had received prescriptions from doctors for triptans.

Some of these Medications include:

Amerge®
Axert®
Frova®
Imitrex®
Maxalt®
Relpax®
Treximet®
Zomig®

The Arkansas drug injury lawyers with Rainwater, Holt & Sexton suggest that anyone taking these medications that has a history of heart conditions to consult with your doctor immediately. If you have suffered from a heart complication while taking one of these medications, we suggest you contact us today.

Nov

Debate Over HPV Vaccine Comes To Arkansas

November 28, 2011

With the federal government advising parents across the country to vaccinate all children between the ages of nine and 14 against the human papilloma virus (HPV), some Arkansas teens are coming forward to warn both parents and teens about the dangers these vaccines may pose.

4029 News told the story of a 20-year-old woman who received the vaccine as a teen. She was then a 16-year-old Ozark High School cheerleader who started receiving the three-part vaccine during a routine check-up because cervical cancer ran in her family. From the first shot, she reported feeling nausea and pain throughout her body. The teen spent the next four years in and out of hospitals and underwent numerous exploratory surgeries in an effort to find answers to her ailment to no avail. She is now on dozens of medications and after receiving a settlement from the drug’s maker for her doctor’s bills, the girl is now on disability due to her condition.

35 million doses of the drugs Gardasil and Cervarix have been given in the United States since 2006, with 20,000 reports of bad reactions to the drugs. Some of the symptoms included muscles aches and numbness, but data is pointing in the direction that the vaccine could cause an autoimmune disease linked to several types of arthritis as well.

The Arkansas Defective Drug Injury Lawyers with Rainwater, Holt & Sexton encourage parents to research these vaccines before giving them to your children. If you have taken these drugs and suffered adverse effects, contact us immediately to see if we can help you.

Nov

Six Tons Of Medications Collected In Arkansas Drug Take-Back Drive

November 7, 2011

At least some of the risk of prescription drug abuse – and the potential for their illegal sale – has eased after local authorities and the Drug Enforcement Agency collected approximately six tons of expired or unwanted medications from local homes during the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Drug Take Back Initiative. According to Arkansas Online, the one-day event took place on October the 29 and gathered more medication than any other drive before.

The agency asked homeowners to bring their unwanted medications to any of the 138 collection sites across the state to be properly disposed of. In all, they say there was 11,924 pounds of medication, or 16.9 million pills, collected during the event. That is up by more than 4,500 pounds over the amount that was handed in during a similar event held in April of this year. The state says that the campaign has gathered 12 tons of unused medication since the program’s inception last year.

Authorities say not only does the program reduce accidental overdoses by children and abuse by teens and adults, but also protects the environment after trace amounts of chemicals were found in water supplies after citizens had flushed medications down the toilet.

The Arkansas Personal Injury Lawyers at Rainwater, Holt & Sexton would like to applaud this program and urge Arkansas citizens to clean out their medicine cabinets to dispose of old, unwanted or unneeded drugs during the next event to be held in several months.

Jul

Pain Therapy Problems Examined in New Study

July 4, 2011

According to a report issued by the Institute of Medicine, an estimated 116 million adults in the United States suffer from long-lasting pain conditions, more than the number of patients affected by heart disease, diabetes, and cancer combined. The report claims that the real problem is the way pain conditions are treated throughout the entire health industry.

There seem to be two extremes in the medical profession when it comes to the treatment of patients suffering from pain: doctors who ignore patient claims because of fear they are merely drug seekers, and those who over-prescribe heavier-than-needed medications and doses to patients who could benefit from a more holistic approach.

The report includes numerous testimonials from patients who paint vivid pictures of the complacency doctors showed toward claims of suffering from debilitating pain. A nurse wrote of the many patients she had seen who could have benefited from a simple treatment, but were referred to specialists too late, after the problem had compounded past the point of said treatment.

On the other hand, both patients and physicians expressed feelings of being treated like common criminals by authorities and their State Board of Medical Examiners for taking and prescribing opioid-based pain medications. Both sides gave attested to being questioned heavily regarding the need of certain medications to treat patient conditions.

If you have suffered because of negligent treatment or over-treatment for pain, the Arkansas Drug Injury Lawyers with Rainwater, Holt & Sexton are here to help you receive the compensation you deserve.

Jun

Drug Manufacturers Settle With Governments Over Illegal Marketing

June 20, 2011

The federal government, long with several state governments, including Arkansas, has reached settlements with two drug manufacturers regarding allegations that they illegally marketed prescription drugs they produced. According to magnoliareporter.com, Novo Nordisk, Inc. and UCB, Inc. engaged in off-label marketing campaigns that resulted in false claims being filed with the state’s Medicaid program.

Off-label marketing is the practice of using a drug in any way or for any ailment, other than what it was originally approved for by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Novo Nordisk has been accused of the practice with its drug NovoSeven Coagulation Factor Vlla. These government’s have said the company knowingly promoted the drug to treat severe bleeding in trauma patients, although it is only approved to treat specific bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia. The drug manufacturer will pay $25 million to resolve the false claims, with $9,577.41 going back to Arkansas’s Medicaid program.

UCB, Inc. will pay federal and state governments $25.7 million to resolve the case against them, which claims they promoted Keppra as a safe and effective treatment for headaches, anxiety, and certain mood disorders.

Off-label marketing of a drug can result in serious injuries to patients, ranging from minor skin irritation to death. If you have been caused harm by taking a prescription drug for treatment the drug was not approved for, you should immediately contact an Arkansas Drug Injury Attorney with Rainwater, Holt & Sexton. They may be able to help.

Jun

Efforts to prevent Conway drug injuries a success

With new trends in adolescent drug use, the risk for Conway drug injuries is on the rise. However, the community is trying to prevent Conway drug injuries, and the Log Cabin Democrat says the efforts were successful.

Conway Police Department and Conway Regional Medical Center held a drug take-back event to collect unused prescription medications which young people are likely to use as recreational drugs.

The take-back event collected over 20,000 drugs in an effort to prevent Conway drug injuries.

Many cities have organized such events, but Arkansas has one of the highest rates of teen drug abuse.

Arkansas drug injuries could increase due to teens’ increased drug abuse

June 10, 2010

Upon hearing about drug abuse, many people think of illicit drugs such as heroin, cocaine, or marijuana. However, drug abuse, especially for teens, has an ever-expanding meaning.

According to Today’s THV, the number of teens abusing prescription drugs is on the rise, which could lead to more Arkansas drug injuries. Arkansas may be leading the nation in the problem of teen drug abuse, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration.

In an effort to decrease Arkansas drug injuries due to teen prescription drug abuse, the Conway Police Department and Conway Regional Medical Center are coming together to give the community a safe way to dispose of prescription drugs.

Teens may suffer Arkansas drug injuries due to ‘pharm parties’

When you think of teens and drugs, you may think of traditional recreational drugs such as marijuana, alcohol, and other illegal drugs. However, police warn that today’s teens aren’t following traditional recreational drug use patterns.

According to Arkansas Matters, though teens still prefer marijuana to other forms of drug use, pharm parties are presenting new risks for Arkansas drug injuries in teens.

Pharm parties occur when teens bring prescription drugs to a gathering, mix the drugs in a punch bowl, and take the drugs recreationally. According to police, pharm parties are occurring everywhere and local teens are at risk for Arkansas drug injuries because of them.

Among the drug injuries teens can suffer are seizures, respiratory depression, and death.