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FDA begins posting list of drugs with potential safety issues on its web site

Wendi Lewis — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:42:11 GMT

A list of prescription drugs currently under investigation by the FDA for safety issues is now available online.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration began posting the list on its web site in September. The new policy is required as a result of a drug safety bill passed by Congress last year. Drugs included on the list are under investigation because of complaints reported to the FDA by drug companies, doctors and patients.

The FDA collects reports of possible side effects through its Adverse Event Reporting System. Only drugs submitted through this system will be included on the list. According to a story in the Washington Post, last year the FDA received more than 480,000 reports of potential reactions to drugs.

The FDA will update the list every three months. The first list included 20 medications and the potential problems associated with each. But, just because a drug is included on the list does not mean the drug is not safe, only that the FDA is investigating it.

According to a report on National Public Radio, FDA officials said they are trying to walk a fine line between being more open with the public and avoiding needless scares.

Some consumer groups worry that patients will stop taking necessary medication if they see it listed on the FDA web site.

The FDA’s Dr. Janet Woodcock told NPR, “My message to patients is this: Don’t stop taking your medicine. You should continue taking it unless your doctor advises you differently.”

The FDA hopes that by posting the list of drugs under investigation, they will be able to improve communication with the public and with doctors. They hope this will lead to overall improvement in drug side-effect reporting and verification.

Consumer advocates told NPR the list is a good start, but should include more information to be truly effective.

Also, it is not clear at this time how the FDA will inform the public if a drug originally included on the list is cleared of suspected safety risks.

The list is available on the FDA web site.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Wendi Lewis

Man Hurt in Georgia Motorcycle Accident

Shannon Weidemann — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 09:34:11 GMT

A man from Warner Robbins was hurt after being thrown from his motorcycle and hit by a pickup truck. The motorcycle accident happened on Interstate 75 near Hartley Bridge Road Tuesday morning. He lost control of the vehicle and rolled across two lanes of the highway.

The victim

lost control of his Harley Davidson, was thrown from his motorcycle, rolled across two lanes and came to rest in the left emergency lane.
His motorcycle traveled about 100 yards north on its own before falling in the right lane, according to the sheriff's office.

The man driving the pickup truck swerved to avoid the motorcycle driver but was unsuccessful. He was not injured. The motorcycle driver was taken to a local hospital to be treated for his injuries. He is listed in stable condition. The police are still investigating the accident and no charges have been filed.

If you would like to learn more about motorcycle accidents, please visit InjuryBoard's Motorcycle Accident information page.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Chicago Construction Accident Kills One

Shannon Weidemann — Mon, 26 May 2008 10:23:00 GMT

A man fell in a construction accident on the north end of Chicago and died on Sunday. It is believed he fell at least three stories to the ground. He was a resident of Chicago.

The man fell about 8 a.m. Friday from a building near 3400 W. Lawrence Ave., according to police News Affairs Officer Marcel Bright. The building is a four-story condo project.

The man was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center to be treated for his injuries. They were too severe though and he passed away. It is unknown what the man was working on at the time of the accident or why he fell. Local officials and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the accident.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

A Dangerous RV Tire - The Goodyear 159 - Has Caused Problems

Tom Methvin — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 14:50:55 GMT

Beasley Allen Law Firm has handled numerous cases against tire manufacturers when their tires failed causing accidents and injuries. As you may know, one of the most serious types of failure of a steel belted radial tire is a de-tread and/or belt separation. Because of the stress concentrations and subsequent high internal temperatures at the edge of the belt, this area is particularly sensitive to manufacturing, design and material problems. One tire we have learned has experienced problems with de-tread due to manufacturing and design defects is the Goodyear G159 steel belted radial tire. The G159 is actually a heavy truck tire made specifically by Goodyear for recreational vehicles. Several manufacturers, including Fleetwood and Monaco, have equipped their larger or class A recreational vehicles with the Goodyear 159 tire. These RV manufacturers selected the Goodyear 159 tire for use on their RVs based on Goodyear's rating of the G159 and its recommendation that this tire was appropriate for these larger recreational vehicles.

Recreational vehicles are very popular in the U.S. for use during vacations. They are also a fan favorite in this part of the country during the football season. Tragically, several families' vacations have turned into virtual nightmares when a Goodyear 159 failed, experiencing a tread separation, which caused an RV to lose control and crash. Our firm currently represents two families who have owned RVs equipped with these Goodyear tires whose vacations where cut short and lives forever changed because of these defective and dangerous tires.

The problem with the G159 is that it's design and manufacturing process are inadequate for the expected loads on these big RVs. The G159s that we have examined have exhibited some of the worst failures we have seen. The design and manufacturing problems have led to tire tread and outer belt separations of G159 tires in all parts of the country. Our cases against Goodyear are still in the discovery phase. Goodyear, despite repeated request and motions filed with the different Courts, refuses to produce any documents or witnesses without having the Courts enter a "Secrecy Order" so that the problems with their tire can be kept confidential. Because Goodyear has not provided any discovery to date, in our cases, we still don't know the full extent of the design and manufacturing problems which are causing the G159 failures. However, we have learned that at least one RV manufacturer, Fleetwood, has recalled some of their RVs which were equipped with the G159 tires after learning of the problems with the tire. As a part the Fleetwood recall, it is replacing the G159 on its affected RVs with Michelin tires.

We have also learned that another RV manufacturer, Monaco, has initiated, along with Goodyear, a tire "Customer Satisfaction Change Over" program were it, along with Goodyear, has offered to replace the Goodyear 159 tires on some of their RVs with larger and stronger Goodyear tires. While Goodyear maintains that the tire change over was due to customer abuse of the G159, the change over program, or silent recall, at least acknowledges that the G159 tires are not safe for these big RVs. In addition, we have learned that there have been numerous customer complaints to NHTSA relating to these tires. Several owners of RVs have had their G159 tires fail and have been more fortunate than others to escape injury.

What we don't know is how many other claims have been filed against Goodyear. We also don't know how many RVs are currently being operated with G159 tires. What we do know is that several of the larger RVs are no longer being built as equipped with the G159. However, until Goodyear or the RV manufacturers institute a program to replace the G159 with safer tires, RV users will remain at risk.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Tom Methvin

Recalled Digitek Digoxin Tablets Could Affect Many with Heart Failure and Atrial Fibrillation

Margaret Embry — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:59:23 GMT

Digoxin is a drug used to treat congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation by making the heart beat stronger and with a more regular rhythm. To understand the importance this drug plays in those who suffer from the above mentioned conditions, a general understanding of these conditions is needed.

According to US Recall News from April 2008,

A class I recall is being issued on all Digitek (digoxin) tablets, which may contain twice the approved level of digoxin.The existence of double-strength pills pose a risk of digitalis toxicity, which can result in nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, cardiac instability, bradycardia and even death.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), according to the American Heart Association, is a condition in which the heart is not able to pump enough blood to the body's other organs. The heart is working, but not as efficiently as the body needs. Because of this, a person with CHF cannot exert themselves because they become short of breath and tired.

As blood flow out of the heart slows, blood returning to the heart through the veins backs up, causing congestion in the tissues. Often swelling (edema) results. Most often there's swelling in the legs and ankles, but it can happen in other parts of the body, too. Sometimes fluid collects in the lungs and interferes with breathing, causing shortness of breath, especially when a person is lying down.

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is a disorder in which the heart's two small upper chambers (the atria) quiver instead of beating effectively. Blood isn't pumped completely out of the atria, so there is a chance for it to pool and clot. If a piece of a blood clot in the atria leaves the heart and becomes lodged in an artery in the brain, a stroke results. About 15 percent of strokes occur in people with atrial fibrillation and about 2.2 million Americans suffer from AF.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Margaret Embry

Car accident claims life of man without seatbelt

Staff Writer — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 10:00:51 GMT

A deadly, two-car accident in Mississippi yesterday claimed the life of an Alabama man who was not wearing his seatbelt.

The Mississippi Press reports on the motor vehicle accident, which occurred on the U.S. 90 bridge in Pascagoula, and involved a Toyota Camry and a Toyota Tacoma. The report says the man driving the Tacoma hit the Camry from behind, causing the fatal accident. The Tacoma flipped and the man was ejected and killed instantly. The Camry, carrying a mother and her 11-month-old baby, spun into the center lane divider on the bridge. Both the mother and daughter were treated for minor injuries at a nearby hospital.

State troopers are investigating to see if alcohol or drugs were involved in the tragic accident.

For more information on this subject matter, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Limestone County Motorcycle Accident Kills Man

Shannon Weidemann — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:28:12 GMT

A 57-year-old man was killed in a motorcycle accident last week in Limestone County, Alabama. He was a resident of Cullen and had just purchased the motorcycle that day. He was driving on an Interstate 65 offramp at the time of the accident.

According to Alabama State Trooper reports, the accident occurred at approximately 4:15 p.m. at the southbound Interstate 65 on-ramp from Interstate 565.

“He was coming off of the ramp, lost control of the motorcycle, hit the guard rail and was ejected from the motorcycle,” West said.

He was wearing a motorcycle helmet. He fell about 20 feet after leaving the motorcycle. He died at the scene of the accident. The Alabama State Troopers are still investigating the accident. No other vehicles were involved.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Taser Loses Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Shannon Weidemann — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 21:13:00 GMT

Taser International has lost a wrongful death lawsuit for the first time. They have been sued a number of times but have never been found at fault. A family sued them and said that the company failed to inform the Salinas Police Department of the risk of shocking someone mulitple times. The jury agreed and awarded the family $5.2 Million.

Heston, 40, died 30 hours after receiving 25 shots from five deployments of stun guns. Taser and the city of Salinas had argued Heston went into cardiac arrest because he had high levels of drugs in his system, including methamphetamine.

The family is hoping that Taser International will make adjustments to their policies. The Salinas Police Department has no plans to change their procedures unless sent new instructions from Taser. The city of Salinas and the officers involved were found not liable in the man's death. The company plans to appeal the verdict.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Loachapoka Motorcycle Accident Kills One

Shannon Weidemann — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:30:00 GMT

One person was killed and another injured in a motorcycle accident in Loachapoka. A car and motorcycle collided at Lee Road 4 and Lee Road 188. The motorcycle driver was killed after being thrown from his bike.

The victim

who appeared to be wearing a helmet, was thrown approximately 275 feet from his motorcycle from the the point of impact, the coroner said. He was traveling north on Lee Road 188 when he struck Bishop's southbound vehicle.

The victim died at the scene. The driver of the car was injured and taken to East Alabama Medical Center to be treated for injuries. Alabama State Troopers are investigating the accident and believe that speed may have been a factor. The victim was from Auburn.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Pennslyvania Woman Killed by Dump Truck

Shannon Weidemann — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:25:33 GMT

A woman driving a car on a Pennsylvania road was killed after being struck by a dump truck. The trucking accident happened in Whitemarsh Township last week. She swerved into the other lane and the driver of the dump truck was unable to avoid a collision.

The dump truck driver said he did not have enough time to react because he did not see Dancona until he reached the top of the hill. The drivers tried to swerve away from each other but still could not avert the crash, according to the witnesses.

The victim died at the scene. It is unknown why her car went into the other lane. The driver of the dump truck was injured and taken to a local hospital. The police are investigating the accident and toxicology testing is being performed.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann