FDA & Prescription Drugs

• Rosenberg sounds off on big pharmaceuticals

  Staff Writer | January 19, 2007 10:41 AM | 0 CommentsMontgomery, AL

  Columnist Martha Rosenburg delivered a biting, satirical article on January 2 about so-called "New Year's Resolutions for Big Pharma." The article bashes pharmaceutical companies for promoting dangerous or defective drugs to the public without concern for the possible results.

• Hernia repair patch maker sued over defects

  Staff Writer | December 28, 2006 1:46 PM | 0 CommentsMontgomery, AL

  Davol, Inc. of Rhode Island is being sued over claimed defects and severe bowel problems a patient experienced as a result of the manufacturer's Composix Kugel Mesh Patch. The plaintiff claims that the patch failed and adhered to his bowels, resulting in severe abdominal pain and bowel dissection surgery. Kugel Mesh Patches, a medical device employed in many hernia repair surgeries, was recalled...

• FDA advisers say Ketek too risky

  Staff Writer | December 21, 2006 8:03 PM | 0 CommentsMontgomery, AL

  According to a December 16 report, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisers recommended that Ketek, an antibiotic manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis, should no longer be marketed for bronchitis or sinusitis due to the risks involved in using the drug.Patients using Ketek have reported liver damage, liver failure, blurred vision, loss of consciousness and other side effects. IMS Health...

• Birmingham jury gives Merck courtroom victory

  Staff Writer | December 19, 2006 3:08 PM | 0 CommentsMontgomery, AL

  A plaintiff suing drug maker Merck & Co. lost his Vioxx product liability lawsuit Friday. A Birmingham jury said they did not think Merck hid information about health risks associated with using the popular arthritis drug.The 59-year-old plaintiff held Merck responsible for his heart attack in 2001, after using Vioxx.Merck pulled Vioxx from the shelves in 2004 after a study linked the drug to...

• Safe drug use tips

  Staff Writer | December 01, 2006 9:21 AM | 0 CommentsMontgomery, AL

  Many older Americans are prescribed a number of medications each year by their doctors. Often, these drugs may cause adverse reactions that patients do not realized are caused by their medications. WorstPills.org has composed a helpful list of "Ten Rules for Safer Drug Use."The list includes:Rule 1: Have "Brown Bag Sessions" with Your Primary Doctor; Fill Out a Drug Worksheet.Rule 2: Make Sure...

• Information about drug-induced diseases

  Staff Writer | November 30, 2006 9:01 AM | 0 CommentsMontgomery, AL

  Worstpills.org has an interesting article posted on drug-induced diseases and the problem of adverse drug interactions. The article reports that more than 9.6 million drug reactions each year affect older Americans, and a study also found that 37% of these adverse reactions were not reported to doctors. This may be, in part, because patients do not know that their symptoms are related to...

• Deaths linked to Ketek prompt FDA discussion

  Staff Writer | November 24, 2006 9:34 AM | 0 CommentsMontgomery, AL

  A USA Today article last week showcases the problems associated with a drug called Ketek, which has been known to cause serious liver damage and death. The antibiotic Ketek (telithromycin) carries a warning with it about the reports of liver failure, severe injury and death associated with the drug. Through April, the FDA received at least a dozen reports of acute liver failure, including four...

• New ADHD drug warnings from FDA

  Staff Writer | November 23, 2006 8:58 AM | 0 CommentsMontgomery, AL

  Today many doctors are prescribing drugs to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. In August 2006 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued stronger warnings for these drugs, especially with regard to amphetamine-containing ADHD drugs and the possibility of sudden death or serious cardiovascular problems. The most serious change applies to amphetamine-containing...

• FDA requires new information with Coumadin

  Staff Writer | November 22, 2006 8:44 AM | 0 CommentsMontgomery, AL

  In October 2006 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a new drug requirement with all new and refill prescriptions of the blood thinner warfarin (brand name Coumadin). The FDA now requires an agency-approved written Medication Guide, with important information about interactions and other dangers involved with taking Coumadin. According to a report on worstpills.org, warfarin...

• Emergency rooms plagued by drug reactions

  Staff Writer | November 13, 2006 3:38 PM | 0 CommentsMontgomery, AL

  According to a recent article in the Winston-Salem Journal, many ER visits each year result from bad reactions to drugs such as Coumadin (warfarin), a much-prescribed anticoagulant or bloodthinner, and others. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Consumer Products Safety Commission and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently conducted a surveillance program of emergency rooms....