Dangerous Prescription Drugs

The prescription drugs industry has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, and when looked at from the positive point of view, more and more drugs are now available than ever before, enabling more and more conditions to be treated than was ever possible in the past. People can now find cures or at least outlets for management of these afflictions, and billions of dollars per year are still spent on research and development for new drugs.

However, this rapid advancement and growth also comes with a risk, as every new drug carries the potential for damage in those who trust them with their health benefits. Some of these risks are relatively minor and can be quickly corrected, but others can result in life-changing consequences and even death in some cases.

As a result of this growing problem, dangerous drugs lawyers all over the United States are beginning to work with clients to hold the manufacturers and distributors of these dangerous drugs accountable for the damages that they caused. In particular, three burgeoning issues are gaining more notoriety every day, and they appear below.

1. Trasylol

Prescription drugs can serve almost any health-related purpose, and these drugs have shown results to be nothing short of miraculous in several circumstances. However, new prescription drugs can also carry a significant risk, and Trasylol has recently been alleged to be one of those dangerous drugs.

Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corp. has recently issued a recall of Trasylol at the request of the FDA because of the development of serious side effects and even death in some patients as a result of using this medication, and additional investigations are happening presently.

Trasylol has been on the market since it gained FDA approval in 1993, and its purpose was to help prevent internal bleeding that’s often a risk of many surgical procedures, most prominently heart-related surgeries and other invasive tactics. It was generally seen as a success, as it generated more than $300 million per year in revenue, some estimates showed.

The reason for the recall is that several people developed serious Trasylol side effects that included heart attacks, strokes, kidney and renal failure and even death in certain cases. Although the specific reason that these side effects have developed has yet to be determined, the FDA saw no reason to delay Trasylol’s removal from shelves. The bottom line is that if you have suffered as a result of using Trasylol, you need to contact a defective drugs attorney as soon as possible to schedule an initial consultation.

2. Heparin

It seems that generally, if a prescription drug is found to be defective, the problems associated with it will arise within a few years of the drug hitting the market. However, as we’ll see with Heparin, this is not always the case, as Baxter International recently recalled several lots of the multi-dose vials of the drug because of apparent contamination.

Heparin has been on the market since 1930, and it’s made with pig intestines. It’s been used to help thin the blood and to prevent clotting that often occurs during surgeries and kidney dialysis treatments. Clotting during these procedures is quite dangerous, and Heparin sold in huge amounts due to its success in mitigating these risks. In fact, estimates state that up to 100,000 units of the drug were sold every day.

However, the recall began because it was discovered that several people suffered from extreme allergic reactions within minutes of receiving an injection from these Heparin vials now in question, and more than 60 people have been killed as a result. A preliminary investigation has revealed that the vials recalled were manufactured in a lab in China, and that there was apparent contamination present in those vials that were pulled from distribution.

If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of using Heparin, you need to take action now. Contact a Heparin attorney today to schedule an initial consultation, as you may have legal rights that need to be enforced against those responsible for your injuries.

Side Effects of Trasylol, Heparin, Ketek, or Gadolinium and the need for Dialysis.

Dialysis is a process by which a machine is attached to a patient’s body to help him or her remove the toxins that healthy kidneys are supposed to remove on their own. This is generally a painful, stressful, time-consuming and quite often expensive process that must be done regularly to avoid placing the patient in a situation of extreme and immediate risk.

There are innumerable causes that result in the need for dialysis, and some of these include genetic tendencies, the aftermath of diseases, extreme diabetes and many other reasons. However, a new set of issues has come to the forefront that have been linked to the need for patients all over the world to receive this dialysis – prescription drugs.

Specifically, four drugs have been linked to this result:

1. Trasylol
2. Heparin
3. Ketek
4. Gadolinium

Your Next Step

If you or someone you love has been injured by any of these drugs or any others, you need to contact a dangerous drugs lawyer as soon as possible to schedule an initial consultation. You may have legal rights that need to be pursued, and you deserve the opportunity to make such a decision with a foundation of knowledge. Contact a dangerous drugs attorney today to get that process started.