On behalf of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. posted in Dangerous and Defective Drugs on Friday, May 18, 2012
A new study has linked a popular antibiotic to an increased risk of sudden death in some patients. Azithromycin is commonly prescribed to help fight off bacterial infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia, but Vanderbilt researchers are urging doctors to consider prescribing alternative antibiotics to patients with a history of heart problems.
Although the risk is relatively small, the study found that patients with heart conditions may experience abnormal heart rhythms from azithromycin. The medical study's authors urge physicians to avoid prescribing azithromycin to patients with a history of:
- Heart failure
- Heart attack
- Diabetes
- Heart bypass surgery
- Stent implants
- High risk of heart disease
On behalf of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. posted in Dangerous and Defective Drugs on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Pfizer will soon find itself in court defending against multiple lawsuits concerning the side effects of its anti-smoking drug, Chantix. The drug has been a source of controversy since it entered the market in 2006, as many consumers have complained that Chantix negatively affects their brain. The most alarming side effect is severe depression that may lead to suicidal behavior.
The medical community is divided on whether Chantix is a safe way to stop smoking. Chantix targets the brain's neuroreceptors that allow smokers to derive pleasure from tobacco. The drug blocks the neuroreceptors to - theoretically, at least - rob the smoker of some of the enjoyment that smoking gives them; however, many patients claim that Chantix caused them to feel depressed or aggressive.
On behalf of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. posted in Dangerous and Defective Drugs on Thursday, May 10, 2012
The largest consumer protection-based pharmaceutical lawsuit has concluded after the parties agreed to a $1.6 billion settlement. The action involved the federal government and 45 states, which joined to file suit against Abbott Laboratories for illegally marketing its anti-seizure drug Depakote.
The illegal practices centered on Abbott's marketing of Depakote for off-label uses. Off-label use - or medical uses not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - is permitted, but cannot be advertised by the drug manufacturer.
On behalf of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. posted in Product Liability on Monday, May 7, 2012
Manufacturer Church & Dwight Co. has recalled defective rechargeable Spinbrush toothbrushes after several reports of charging bases overheating. The overheating presents a risk of fire, burns and electrical shocks, pains that nobody should ever endure - even to please the dentist.
The recall is for Spinbrush rechargeable Sonic toothbrushes sold in North America between February 2010 and October 2011. If you purchased a Spinbrush during that period, you should look at the bottom of the charging base. The recalled lot numbers are DD9310-9365 and DD0002-0122.
On behalf of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. posted in Defective Medical Devices on Friday, May 4, 2012
Defibrillator leads have recently caused hundreds of deaths in the U.S., with the latest fatal episodes involving St. Jude's Riata lead. The Riata leads were implanted in nearly 80,000 patients, but a fundamental product defect may have fatal consequences.
Defibrillator leads are wires that connect a defibrillator to a patient's heart. Defibrillators are designed to act as lifesavers when they send electrical impulses to a failing heart. Sadly, Riata leads are prone to erosion, allowing the defibrillator to short-circuit. A short circuit can cause the defibrillator to send erratic shocks to the patient's heart or can cause the medical device to fail when it's desperately needed.
On behalf of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. posted in Defective Medical Devices on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
A heart valve ring can be a lifesaving medical device for someone suffering from a heart defect. Because the human heart pumps nearly 2,000 gallons of blood each day, even a small abnormality in a valve can be life-threatening.
A heart valve ring - or annuloplasty ring - can reinforce a defective valve and prevent blood from leaking to where it shouldn't be. Because these medical devices play such a crucial role, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified heart valve rings in its highest-risk class; the rings must go through the agency's most stringent approval process to ensure they are safe and free of defects.
On behalf of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. posted in Drug Recalls on Friday, April 27, 2012
X-Rock Industries has recalled its erectile dysfunction supplement, X-Rock, after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discovered unlisted ingredients that may be potentially harmful.
The FDA tested the over-the-counter supplement and discovered the presence of two ingredients that can have a potentially fatal interaction in people taking prescription drugs containing nitrates. The FDA's test results are particularly alarming because men who use supplements or prescriptions to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) often have other health conditions - such as diabetes and high blood pressure - that are commonly treated with drugs containing nitrates.
On behalf of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. posted in Defective Medical Devices on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Authorities are still investigating the death of a 55-year-old woman who recently had Lap-Band weight loss surgery. Her wrongful death follows that of four other Lap-Band patients who received their implants from a network of affiliated clinics. This latest Lap-Band death intensifies the debate about the safety of the weight loss devices, which were already under heavy scrutiny.
A 2011 study found that nearly 60 percent of Lap-Band patients needed follow-up surgery because of complications or product defects. Roughly 50 percent of all laparoscopic gastric banding patients had the medical device removed because of erosion or a malfunction, according to researchers from the St. Pierre University Hospital in Brussels.
On behalf of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. posted in Defective Medical Devices on Friday, April 20, 2012
Triad Group and its affiliate H&P Industries are allegedly responsible for 11 known deaths resulting from contaminated medical wipes. One of those victims was only 2 years old. His grieving parents just settled a wrongful death lawsuit for an undisclosed amount, but they still feel empty and angry.
"I wish I could have prosecuted them personally. I wish I could have put them in jail, but I couldn't do that," commented Sandy Kothari, the mother of the deceased boy.
On behalf of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. posted in Product Liability on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
The Topeak Babyseat II has been recalled after two children nearly had their fingers amputated by the product. The bicycle baby seats are distributed by Todson of Massachusetts and sold at stores such as REI (Recreational Equipment Outfitters).
The injuries occurred when the children had their fingers near the hinge mechanism on the seats. When the parents attempted to remove their children from the Babyseat by lifting up on grab bars, the children's fingers were crushed in the hinge. Fortunately, doctors were able to save the fingers from complete amputation in both incidents.
