Dangerous Pharmaceuticals and Drugs

The lawyers of THOMAS & WAN have successfully resolved multi-million dollar cases against pharmaceutical companies who produce and sell harmful drugs. Currently, THOMAS & WAN is accepting cases involving victims of Multaq, Ortho Evra, Depakote, Paxil, Levaquin and DePuy Hip Implants.

MULTAQ AND LIVER FAILURE:

According to an FDA Safety Announcement, the potential side effects of Multaq, a prescription drug used to treat abnormal heart rhythm, may be linked to an increased risk of acute liver failure or other liver problems.

See the FDA WARNING: Severe Liver Injury with Multaq

Multaq (dronedaron) is a new medication that was just approved in July 2009. It is used to treat patients who have had an abnormal heart rhythm during the past six months, such as atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Although it has only been on the market for a short period of time, nearly 150,000 people in the United States filled a prescription for the heart drug as of October 2010.

Click here for detailed info on MULTAQ and LIVER FAILURE.

ORTHO-EVRA:

The Ortho Evra birth control patch has been linked to 21 life-threatening blood clots and other ailments according to reports received by the Food and Drug Administration. The contraceptive patch, manufactured by Ortho-McNeil, has been marketed to consumers and doctors as a convenient alternative to oral birth control pills. Approximately 4 million women have used the Ortho Evra Patch since it was approved in 2001. A survey by the Associated Press of reports of patch related problems to the FDA raises the possibility that the threat of clotting with the patch is greater than with the pill. According to the AP survey, the risk of death with the patch could be about three times greater than with the pill. The news agency found that there were 12 clot-related deaths among the approximately 800,000 users of the patch in 2004. According to an article on MSNBC, In 2000, doctors at the FDA reviewing clinical trials of the patch warned that blood clots could be a problem if it was approved. In the trials, two of the 3,300 women using the patch were treated for blood clots that traveled to their legs. Despite the issue being raised by a FDA review, the Ortho Evra patch was approved and no requirements for follow-up studies were ordered.

DEPAKOTE:

Depakote and other anti-epileptic drugs can cause serious birth defects.

Major congenital malformations and fetal deaths were significantly more common in pregnancies of women taking Depakote compared with other antiepileptic drugs, and the effect of Depakote was dose-dependent according to a study in the August 8, 2006 issue of Neurology.An abstract of the study can be found here.
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PAXIL

Paxil, an anti-depressant can cause serious birth defects including Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN).

According to a study released February 8, 2006, women who take Paxil, Zoloft, and other antidepressants late in their pregnancies are at an increased risk of delivering babies with a serious lung condition called persistent or primary pulmonary hypertension.
Click here for detailed info on PAXIL.

LEVAQUIN:

The FDA has ordered a ‘black box’ warning to be placed on Levaquin informing patients of increased risk of tendon ruptures most commonly in the Achilles tendon. Reports indicate that the risk of tendon ruptures may be increased when Levaquin is used in combination with steroid medications especially in the elderly.

Background:

Levaquin, manufactured by Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals, is in a class of drugs called quinolones and is prescribed to treat serious cases of bacterial infections affecting the lungs, skin and urinary tract. Levaquin, only available by prescription, works by killing bacteria or limiting its growth allowing the body to fight the infection. Levaquin is available in tablet or injection form and was approved by the FDA in 1997.

Levaquin use has been linked to tendon injuries and ruptures during and after therapy; these injuries appear to occur more frequently in older patients. The danger of ruptures is considered even greater when combined with any corticosteroid steroid medications such as prednisone. The Achilles tendon is most frequently associated to the Levaquin induced ruptures, however Levaquin has also been linked to tendon ruptures in the shoulder, biceps, hand, and thumb. Patients should consult their doctor if they experience pain or inflammation of the tendons while on Levaquin or if they are taking a steroid medication while on the antibiotic.

Between November 1997 and the end of December 2005, 794 cases of quinolone-associated tendon rupture, tendonitis and other tendon disorders were reported to the FDA. Of those, 175 cases of tendon rupture occurred between 2003 and 2005. According to FDA estimates, these cases may make up only about 10 percent of all adverse events related to the use of these antibiotics.

DEPUY HIP IMPLANTS:

Johnson & Johnson announces the recall and withdrawal of its DePuy ASR hip replacement system after reports indicate a high failure rate showing one in eight patients may need revision surgery within five years.

Background:

DePuy Orthopaedics is recalling its ASR XL Acetabular System and DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System. The DePuy ASR is a metal-on-metal hip replacement system developed in 2005. Health care professionals have increasingly been warning about problems with metal-on-metal hip implants, which can shed metal particles into the body. The particles can damage soft tissue, cause inflammatory reactions and lead to bone loss.
The FDA indicated on July 17, 2010 that the actions of DePuy Orthopaedics, a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson, in regards to its ASR hip implant were classified as a Class 2 medical implant recall. Specifically, the company’s notification to clinicians of new revision rate information regarding the use of the devices was cited as a reason for the DePuy ASR hip recall.
On March 6, 2010, DePuy sent a letter to doctors indicating that the ASR hip implant has been linked to a high failure rate. Many patients who received DePuy ASR hip replacements have experienced hip failures soon after the device was implanted, leading to additional hip surgeries.