The FDA has issued a warning to doctors and patients that a common over the counter anti-diarrhea drug can cause deadly heart rhythms when taken at higher than recommended doses. The drug loperamide is sold over the counter or by prescription and is available in generic, store-brand and brand-name (Immodium A-D) versions. The use of…
DetailsLyrica, a widely prescribed pain medication that is heavily advertised on television may be associated with a higher risk of major birth defects. The journal Neurology reported on the study online on May 18, 2016. The study involved 164 women who took Lyrica during their first trimester of pregnancy. These women were compared to a…
DetailsA recent study published in the online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology indicates that the multiple Sclerosis drug mitoxantrone may be associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. The drug is prescribed for aggressive types of relapsing remitting or progressive MS that don’t respond to other MS…
DetailsThe FDA issued a safety announcement on Thursday regarding commonly prescribed antibiotics such as Cipro and Levaquin. The announcement follows an FDA advisory panel in which 35 people testified about severe fluoroquinolone associated disability resulting from the use of Levaquin, Cipro, and Avelox. The drugs have been sold for more than 20 years and are…
DetailsWhile this may sound like a joke it is not. The FDA issued a warning on May 6, 2016 that Abilify, a commonly prescribed antipsychotic drug, may cause patients to have uncontrollable urges to gamble, binge eat, shop and have sex. The warning can be found at http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm498662.htm. The drug is used to treat schizophrenia…
DetailsI recently attended a National conference which included an update on the Bair Hugger litigation. Following is an update on the status of the litigation: The litigation was centralized on December 11, 2015 in the District of Minnesota. Honorable Joan H. Erickson was assigned to the MDL. Magistrate Judge Franklin Noel is also assigned to…
DetailsI recently attended a National conference which included an update on the Xarelto litigation. Following is an update on the Xarelto MDL; The litigation was consolidated as MDL No. 2592 in the Eastern District of Louisiana. The Honorable Eldon E. Fallon is the presiding judge. As of April there are over 4,500 pending claims in…
DetailsA second St. Louis Missouri jury has ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $55 million in damages to a woman who developed ovarian cancer after using talc – powder products for feminine hygiene. J&J is currently facing approximately 1,200 similar lawsuits. This verdict follows a three week trial and one day of deliberations.
Approximately 15 million Americans use Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) to treat conditions such as; Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Dyspepsia, Acid Reflux, Peptic or stomach ulcers. These medications include; Prilosec, Prevacid, AcipHex, Protonix, Nexium, Zegerid, Dexilant, Vimovo. With over $14 billion in annual sales these are the commonly prescribed drugs in the U.S. and worldwide. These drugs…
DetailsA vicious attack by two pit bulls in Fresno has left a woman in critical condition. This most recent incident involves a woman who was walking by a residence when she was attacked by two dogs that had escaped from their yard. Police believe they either dug under or jumped over the fence. The woman…
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