Category Archives: Pharmaceuticals
British Health Agency Strengthens Warnings about Valproate Risk in Pregnancy
Statement issued urging healthcare professionals to give women information on birth defects when Depakote and other valproate medicines are used during pregnancy.
Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon Division to End Sales of Gynecare Prolift, Three Other Transvaginal Mesh Devices
Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon Inc. division revealed yesterday that it will end sales of its Gynecare Prolift device and three other transvaginal mesh products. The plan to stop selling the four products was set forth in a letter filed by the company in the Ethicon transvaginal mesh multidistrict litigation ...
British Recall of Smith & Nephew Renasys Wound Care System for Infection Risk
The MHRA announced the recall of Smith & Nephew Renasys wound care devices - risk of maceration, infection, loss of negative pressure, or unrecognized bleeding in wounds.
Study Finds Plavix May Only Benefit Smokers
An emerging study finds that blood thinner Plavix may only benefit smokers. Plavix (clopidogrel) is prescribed for the prevention of blood clots and heart attacks, and has been linked to serious side effects, including the heart attacks and strokes it is supposed to prevent, gastrointestinal and cerebral bleeding, bleeding ulcers, ...
Actos Bladder Cancer Lawsuits Continue, New Complaint Filed by Tennessee Resident
Actos bladder cancer lawsuits continue, with a new complaint filed by a resident of Tennessee. The national law firm, Parker Waichman LLP, represents the Tennessee man who alleges that Actos caused his bladder cancer.
Canadian Warning Issued for Actos Bladder Cancer Side Effect Risk
Health Canada has become the most recent national drug regulator to issue a warning about Actos and bladder cancer. Last month, the agency warned that interim results from a 10-year-study indicated that patients taking Actos for more than a year faced an increased risk of bladder cancer. Health Canada also ...
FDA Panel Takes up Metal-on-Metal Hip Implant Safety Today
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is convening a meeting starting today to help decide the future of metal-on-metal hip implants following high-profile recalls and mounting questions about their overall safety.
Tennessee Woman Alleges Boston Scientific Transvaginal Mesh Product Caused Painful Injuries
More reports of painful injuries are being linked to transvaginal mesh. This time, a Tennessee woman has filed a lawsuit against Boston Scientific over its Advantage Transvaginal Mid-Urethral Sling System.
Indiana Woman Alleges Serious Injuries From Transvaginal Mesh Products
Parker Waichman LLP, a national law firm, just filed a lawsuit on behalf of a woman who suffered injuries after receiving transvaginal mesh implants. The lawsuit suit alleges that the transvaginal mesh created an unreasonable risk and directly caused her injuries.Increased Risk of Bone Fractures with Invokana and Invokamet XR
Despite a multitude of warnings for a drug taken for treatment of type 2 diabetes, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded indications for Invokamet (canagliflozin and metformin). Invokamet along with Invokana (canagliflozin), carry warnings for adverse reactions … Continue reading
Popular Heartburn Medications Linked to Increased Risk of Death
Drugs to relieve heartburn and acid-reflux are among the best selling drugs in the country, used by millions of Americans annually in both prescription and non-prescription strength. Excess acid can cause stomach ulcers and damage to the esophagus. A reduction … Continue reading
Soliris Vaccination Raises Risk for Meningococcal Disease
People who have received eculizumab (brand name Soliris) are at high risk (1,000 to 2,000-fold greater), for invasive meningococcal disease compared to the general United States population. Life-threatening and fatal infections have occurred in some patients treated with Soliris. These … Continue reading
Propecia-Related Sexual Dysfunction Linked to Depression
The active ingredient in Propecia is finasteride, known to effectively block the hormone responsible for male pattern baldness, a common genetic form of hair loss. However, a number of studies suggest it may also have damaging effects on a man’s … Continue reading
FDA Warning Letters for Bodybuilding Products Containing Steroid-Like Substances
On June 20, 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted warning letters to Flex Fitness/Big Dan’s Fitness, AndroPharm, and Hardcore Formulations for illegally marketing products labeled as containing steroid and steroid-like substances and promoted to increase muscle mass and strength. The products are … Continue reading
Another Try for MDL for PPI Lawsuits – Kidney Damage Allegations
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as Nexium, Prilosec, and Prevacid are drugs used in the treatment of acid reflux or heartburn. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits alleging that these medications caused kidney injuries and have filed a motion to consolidate 172 … Continue reading
More Than 400 Cases in Viagra-Melanoma Multidistrict Litigation
As of May 15, 2017, 428 men are plaintiffs in a Viagra (sildenafil) multidistrict product liability litigation in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The suit alleges that the “little blue pill,” manufactured by Pfizer, is connected … Continue reading
Pancreatitis Risk for Some Patients Taking Viberzi
Viberzi (eluxadoline), a drug to treat irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) has drawn a warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) following the deaths of two patients. The patients who died did not have their gallbladders and … Continue reading
Xarelto Manufacturer Leads Spending for Physicians’ Favor
The public-interest news organization ProPublica issued a new report that indicates manufacturers spent more in 2015 on physician payments for Xarelto than any other drug. These payments were not for research, but for things like consulting, meals, travel, promotional speaking, … Continue reading
Risperdal Litigation is Second Largest Mass Tort in Philadelphia
Mass Tort Contains Risperdal Gynecomastia Lawsuits Lawsuits alleging the antipsychotic drug Risperdal caused gynecomastia continue to mount against Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen unit. In fact, Risperdal litigation accounts for most of the mass tort growth in Philadelphia’s Complex Litigation Center. … Continue reading
