Get legal advice from experienced pharmaceutical drug litigation lawyers. If you have been injured by a dangerous drug that has had a prescription drug recall USA Hurt has the right personal injury attorneys for your drug lawsuit.

Philadelphia Drug Litigation Lawyers

Medical science has made tremendous progress in the last 20 years and this progress often is responsible for the improved quality of life for millions of people across the world. However, this progress has not been without concerns and problems. What provides relief for one person may cause severe problems, even death, for another. While the vast number of drugs, both prescription and nonprescription, are frequently used without complications, others do not have the same track record of safety. Many drugs, once touted as revolutionary, have been shown to cause more harm than benefit. Some of the recent pharmaceuticals products to that have recently been shown to have potentially dangerous results are:

-Baycol
-Charité (J&J) Spinal Disc
-Ephedra
-Fen-phen
-Fosamax
-Guidant Defibrillator Recall
-Ketek
-Ortho Evra Patch
-PPA
-Prempro
-ReNu with MoistureLoc Linked to Fusarium Keratitis -Seroquel
-Trasylol
-Vioxx
-Zyprexa

If you have suffered injury as a result of the use of these or any other drugs or health care products, call 1-877-USA-Hurt immediately, even if you have not had any adverse symptoms as you may have rights that need to be protected by a personal injury lawyer.

Baycol

Bayer A.G. Pharmaceutical manufactures the statin drug known as Baycol. Statin drugs are marketed and prescribed to assist in lowering a person’s cholesterol by acting to block certain enzymes the body manufactures. These naturally occurring enzymes are essential to the bodies’ ability to produce cholesterol. Therefore, if the production of the enzymes is blocked, cholesterol should go down. While statin drugs are effective at lowering cholesterol, there are known side effects, some of which can be dangerous. These side effects are known to include muscular cell damage and the potential development of rhabdomyolysis which is a muscular condition that can cause kidney damage. If Baycol is combined with other drugs, such as gemfibrozil (used to lower triglyceride levels) the risk of developing rhabdomyolysis is increased.
Bayer has issued advisories wherein they recommended the dosage for Baycol be adjusted and that patients taking the drug be closely monitored.
A number of deaths have also been reported due to the use of Baycol which resulted in Bayer issuing a voluntary recall of the drug.

For more information contact USA Hurt and let us put you in touch with one of our Philadelphia Drug Litigation Lawyers today to help you with your claim.
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Charité (J&J) Spinal Discs

Surgery is a frequent option of those who suffer from degenerative disc disease and replacement surgeries involve the use of the Johnson & Johnson Charité spinal disc implant. Recently many who have had this implant have been experiencing increased pain or pain similar to that they suffered pre-surgery.
The Charité spinal disc is the lone replacement disc approved for use in the United States. However, during the approval process it appears that Johnson & Johnson did not completely address issues such as a measure of pain reduction or the disc’s ability to maintain or restore natural motion. It also appears the disc has a low success rate. To repair the damage suffered by this disc often requires major surgery.
Many professionals seem to be surprised that the Charité spinal disc was given approval given the deficient test results and the disc’s poor track record since implanting began.
For more information contact USA Hurt and let us put you in touch with a personal injury attorney today to help you with your claim.Duragesic Patch
The Food and Drug Administration has issued a public health advisory for the drug Duragesic (fentanyl) based upon information they learned while investigation more than 100 deaths that may have been related to the use of the transdermal pain patch.
This patch, used to relieve pain, is manufactured and distributed by Johnson & Johnson and in the generic form by Mylan Laboratories. The FDA’s investigation has been in response to reports of inappropriate use of the patch that have resulted in overdoses.
Symptoms of Duragesic overdose include slow breathing, seizures, dizziness, loss of consciousness, coma, disorientation, weakness, cold or clammy skin, and small pupils. Continued use can lead to addiction.

For more information contact USA Hurt and let us put you in touch with one of our Philadelphia Drug Litigation Lawyers today to help you with your claim.
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Ephedra

Ephedrine, also known as Ephedra or Ma Huang, has been heavily marketed as an over-the-counter weight loss aid or energy supplement. This ingredient was the main component in supplements such as Xenadrine, Metabolite, Herbalife and Ripped Fuel and could also be found in asthma remedies and other health foods. The drug frequently resulted in increased heart rates. Many of the products that contain ephedra also contain high levels of caffeine and the combined effect placed many people at risk for heart attack or stroke.
The Food and Drug Administration received numerous reports of side effects related to the use of this drug, including the reports of more than 50 deaths. Some of these side effects include:

• Depression
  
• Heart attack
  
• Heart palpitations
  
• Hypertension
  
• Insomnia
  
• Memory loss
  
• Nausea
  
• Nervousness
  
• Numbness
  
• Seizure
  
• Stroke

In April of 2004, the FDA banned the use or sale of products containing ephedra; however, legal action followed and the ban was lifted in 2005.

For more information contact USA Hurt and let us put you in touch with a personal injury attorney today to help you with your claim.
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Fen-phen

Fen-phen, Pohdimin and Redux were marketed in the 1990’s to rave reviews for their ability to quickly help patients lose weight; however, many of people that used these drugs developed a deadly lung disorder know as Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH). As the use of the drugs were tied to and associated with this disease, millions of dollars have been paid in settlement of claims to patients who developed PPH.
PPH is a lung disorder that can lead to heart failure and it is believed by many doctors that the rise of this disease is linked to the use of the use of the weight loss drugs. Patients who have developed this condition experienced an unexplained increase in blood pressure in the pulmonary artery which can lead to heart failure. The exact cause of PPH is not known, but the disease is diagnosed in between 500 to 1000 patients each year, with the majority of these patients being women between 20 and 40. The use of Fen-phen type drugs has been shown to increase the likelihood of developing the disease by nearly 25%.
These drugs were recalled in 1997; however, the effects of PPH can be delayed a number of years and include weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizzy spells, and fainting. More than seven million patients took this class of drugs prior to the recall.

For more information contact USA Hurt and let us put you in touch with one of our Philadelphia Drug Litigation Lawyers today to help you with your claim.
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Fosamax

In 1995, the Food and Drug Administration approved Fosamax for the treatment of osteoporosis and Paget’s Disease. Fosamax is also marketed and sold under the generic name of Alendronate.
Fosamax is used for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women. The drug is also prescribed to cancer patients in the advance stages of certain cancers where the cancers have metastasized to the bone. These cancers include lung cancer, breast cancer, prostrate cancer and others.
As Fosamax is a form of drug known as a bisphosphonate, it can have harmful effects on patients who undergo tooth extractions or other dental work while taking the drug.
In particular, there has been a connection between bisphosphonates and a condition known as Oseonecrosis of the Jaw. This is a condition of the jaw where the tissue around the bone doesn’t heal and leaves the bone exposed. This can result in infection, fracture and the need for surgery to remove dead or dying bone tissue. Subsequent studies resulted in a Food and Drug Administration warning being issued in September of 2004 related to this. If users of Fosamax have had major dental work, experts believe early treatment is critical to preserve the jawbone.

For more information contact USA Hurt and let us put you in touch with a personal injury attorney today to help you with your claim.
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Guidant Defibrillator Recall

In June of 2005, Guidant Corporation issued a recall for approximately 50,000 of its cardiac defibrillators that had been implanted in patients throughout the world due to defects that cold lead to serious injury and/or death. In the United States alone, it is believed that more than 38,000 have been implanted. The defective models of implants are:

- Prizm 2 DR
- Contak Renewal
- Contak Renewal 2
- Ventak Prizm AVT
- Vitality AVT
- Renewal 3 AVT; and,
- Renewal 4 AVT ICDs

Reports suggest that Guidant management knew of the potential for adverse effect for more than three years prior to the recall.

For more information contact USA Hurt and let us put you in touch with a personal injury attorney today to help you with your claim.
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Ketek

Ketek is an antibiotic that is also marketed under the generic name of Telithromycin. The drug is used to treat infections that result from chronic bronchitis, acute bacterial sinusitis and community-acquired pneumonia. However, in January of 2006, severe liver problems and the death of one patient in North Carolina were reported from the use of this drug. Other cases were then investigated by federal investigators. As a result of the investigation, which identified 12 cases of liver failure, the Food and Drug Administration has urged the manufacturer to add a warning label to the drug. Ketek was initially refused approval for lack of safety information on the drug’s label.

For more information contact USA Hurt and let us put you in touch with a personal injury attorney today to help you with your claim.
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Ortho Evra Patch

In late 2005, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to women using the Ortho Evra birth control patch that they were at a higher risk for blood clots. The warning, which resulted in labeling warnings on the product, noted that users of the patch were exposed to approximately a 60% higher level of estrogen than the typical birth control pill. It has been shown that higher doses of estrogen can lead to side effects such as stroke.

For more information contact USA Hurt and let us put you in touch with a personal injury attorney today to help you with your claim.
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PPA

Phenylpropanolamine was marketed for decades and was widely used as a nasal decongestant in over-the-counter and prescription drug products. It was also common to find the drug in over-the-counter weight control drugs. Use of this drug as an ingredient in over-the-counter products was so common that it could be found in hundreds of different non-prescriptions remedies. Some of these products include:

• Acutrim ® Maximum Strength
  
• Acutrim ® 16 Hour Steady Control
  
• Alka Seltzer ® Plus Children's Cold Medicine
  
• Alka Seltzer ® Plus Cold Medicine
  
• Alka Seltzer® Morning Relief
  
• BC ® Allergy Sinus Cold Powder
  
• BC ® Sinus Cold Powder
  
• Contact ® 12 Hour
  
• Dexatrim ® Maximum Strength Caffeine-Free Caplets
  
• Dexatrim ® Plus Vitamins Caplet
  
• Dimetapp ®
  
• Robitussin ® CF
  
• Tavist-D ®
  
• Triaminic ®

In 2000, it was reported that the use of PPA increased the risk of hemorrhagic stroke, or bleeding of the brain, particularly in women between the ages of 18 and 49. While the results of the initial report were challenged in Court, the report was found to be valid and resulted in the Food and Drug Administration issuing a public health advisory calling for the discontinuance of the use of this drug. Following this, the various companies that used PPA voluntarily removed their products from stores and reformulated their products with other, safer ingredients.
For more information contact USA Hurt and let us put you in touch with a personal injury attorney today to help you with your claim.
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Prempro

Prempro is a common hormone replacement therapy drug that has been linked to heart problems as well as breast cancer. Based upon a study conducted in 2002 of more than 16,000 women between the ages of 50 and 79, it was found that of the women taking Prempro, they were 26% more likely to develop breast cancer, 41% more likely to suffer a stroke, 100% more likely to experience blood clots and 22% more likely to experience heart disease. Users of Prempro were also found to be at an increased risk of suffering from ovarian cancer, lupus and gall bladder cancer as well as Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia.

For more information contact USA Hurt and let us put you in touch with a personal injury attorney today to help you with your claim.
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Keratitis

On April 10, 2006, Bausch & Lomb suspended the shipment and sale of one of its most popular contact lens solution - ReNu with MoistureLoc. This was prompted by reports that users had developed fungal keratitis infections following the use of this product.
This announcement follows a Food and Drug Administration warning of increases in fungal infections in wearers of contact lenses. A large percentage of the infections in contact lens wearers were among wearers who used the ReNu saline.
Fungal keratitis is an eye infection that can permeate the entire depth of the cornea and is considered quite serious. Antifungal drugs are used to treat this condition though the treatment involves a long period of therapy. In those cases where the drug therapy is not successful, surgery is often required. Symptoms of fungal keratitis include discomfort or pain in the eye, loss of vision and increased sensitivity to light.

For more information contact USA Hurt and let us put you in touch with a personal injury attorney today to help you with your claim.
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ReNu with MoistureLoc Linked to Fusarium Keratitis

On April 10, 2006, Bausch & Lomb suspended the shipment and sale of one of its most popular contact lens solution - ReNu with MoistureLoc. This was prompted by reports that users had developed fungal keratitis infections following the use of this product.
This announcement follows a Food and Drug Administration warning of increases in fungal infections in wearers of contact lenses. A large percentage of the infections in contact lens wearers were among wearers who used the ReNu saline.
Fungal keratitis is an eye infection that can permeate the entire depth of the cornea and is considered quite serious. Antifungal drugs are used to treat this condition though the treatment involves a long period of therapy. In those cases where the drug therapy is not successful, surgery is often required. Symptoms of fungal keratitis include discomfort or pain in the eye, loss of vision and increased sensitivity to light.
For more information contact USA Hurt and let us put you in touch with a personal injury attorney today to help you with your claim.
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Seroquel

Seroquel is a drug used in the treatment of acute manic disorders that are associated with bipolar disorders and schizophrenia. The use of the drug has been shown to have side effects such as neuroleptic malignant syndrome characterized by fever and muscle rigidity, tardive dyskinesia or uncontrollable movements. Users of this drug also appear to be nearly four times more likely to develop diabetes or hyperglycemia as users of other similar, yet older, drugs that were used to treat the same conditions as Seroquel.

For more information contact USA Hurt and let us put you in touch with a personal injury attorney today to help you with your claim.
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Trasylol

Trasylol is a drug administered to patients during heart surgery to control blood loss. While an effective treatment option, the drug has been shown to cause adverse and sometimes fatal results. According to a January 2006 New England Journal of Medicine revealed potential fatal side effects that could result from the use of the drug that included heart attacks, kidney and liver failure and stroke. As compared to generic alternatives, Trasylol nearly doubled the risk of kidney failure, doubled the risk of heart attack and increased the risk of stroke by nearly 200 percent. Many medical professional are increasingly looking to generic or alternatives to Trasylol for use during heart surgery.

For more information contact USA Hurt and let us put you in touch with a personal injury attorney today to help you with your claim.
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Vioxx

During its time, Vioxx was one of the most commonly prescribed drugs until its recall in September of 2004. Vioxx was prescribed as a treatment for arthritis pain, severe menstrual cramps and other muscular pain. Vioxx, as well as Celebrex and Bextra, are a class of pain relievers known as COX-2 inhibitors that inhibit certain enzymes that cause pain and inflammation. While quite effective at relieving pain, the COX-2 inhibitors may be linked to an increased likelihood of heart attack, stroke or the formation of blood clots.
During their time on the market more than 50 million prescriptions were written for this class of drugs. The use of the drug was shown to increase heart problems or the likelihood of stroke, but the drug caused fewer stomach problems than other drugs. The drug was aggressively marketed, but there was much criticism as a result of the slow recall of the drug and it has been argued that this contributed to a number of unnecessary injuries and deaths.

For more information contact USA Hurt and let us put you in touch with a personal injury attorney today to help you with your claim.
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Zyprexa

Zyprexa is in a class of medications called atypical antipsychotics. Antipsychotic medicines are approved and used in the treatment of schizophrenia that may include aural hallucinations or hearing voices, visual hallucinations or seeing things, or sensing things that are not there, and mistaken beliefs or unusual suspiciousness. The drug is also used in the treatment of manic episodes in adults with a condition know as Bipolar I disorder. As with other similar drugs, the use of this drug has been linked to an increased likelihood of diabetes and other glucose-related conditions, including ketoacidosis, diabetic coma, hyperglycemia, pancreatitis, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. To date, more than $700 million has been paid to users of the drug who suffered injury as a result of this use.

For more information contact USA Hurt and let us put you in touch with one of our Philadelphia Drug Litigation Lawyers today to help you with your claim.
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