Miami Lawyers Handling Defective And Dangerous Drug Litigation
Pharmaceutical litigation is no different from other product liability cases in terms of complexity. It requires expertise and experience, as well as a detailed understanding of the particular product that is the subject of litigation.
Panter, Panter & Sampedro, P.A., has pursued dangerous and defective drug claims on behalf of individuals injured by such pharmaceutical products as Baycol and phenylpropanolamine, or PPA. Call 305-662-6178 for a free consultation to learn more about your legal options.
Our Personal Injury Case Results Speak for Themselves
Digitek
Digitek is a heart medication manufactured by Actavis Totowa LLC, a subsidiary of the international generic pharmaceutical company Actavis Group. On April 25, 2008, Actavis Totowa issued a Class I recall of Digitek oral tablets due to the possibility that some of them may contain twice the approved amount of the active ingredient. Because Digitek is prescribed to patients with an irregular heartbeat, taking a pill that is essentially double the approved dosage could result in arrhythmia, low blood pressure, nausea, dizziness and bradycardia. In some patients, this could lead to serious injuries or death.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is aware of the recall. Patients who have required hospitalization or families that have lost loved ones due to the use of the dangerous drug Digitek are encouraged to contact us today.
Levaquin
Recently, Public Citizen, a national nonprofit public interest organization, and the Illinois attorney general petitioned the FDA to add a black box warning to the drug Levaquin’s packaging. They also urged the FDA to require pharmacists to give patients FDA-approved medication guides that also carry the warning of tendon rupture associated with the drug. Levaquin (generic name levofloxacin) has been linked to tendon damage and ruptures in the Achilles tendon, bicep, shoulder (rotator cuff), hand and thumb.
Tendon ruptures associated with these drugs continue to occur at a disturbing rate. They could be prevented if doctors and patients were more aware of early warning signals such as the onset of tendon pain, swelling and bruising, and difficulty walking. The FDA’s adverse event database shows 262 reported cases of tendon ruptures, and 61 percent were associated with Levaquin.
Trasylol
In November 2007, following a request from the FDA, Bayer Pharmaceutical suspended the sale of Trasylol. Trasylol (aprotinin injection) is a clotting drug administered to patients during cardiac bypass and other complex heart surgeries to prevent bleeding and reduce blood loss. Results from a Canadian study suggested an increased risk of death for Trasylol users compared with similar drugs. Trasylol has also been linked to heart attacks, strokes and kidney problems.
A Comparison of aprotinin and lysine analogues in high-risk cardiac surgery
vioxx
On Sept. 30, 2004, the giant drug manufacturer Merck announced that Vioxx, the widely prescribed and hugely popular arthritis drug, is dangerous and increases the risk of serious medical complications, including heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure. As a result, all Vioxx on pharmaceutical shelves was withdrawn.
Baycol
Bayer Pharmaceutical voluntarily withdrew Baycol (cerivastatin), a cholesterol-lowering product, from the U.S. market because of reports of sometimes-fatal rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis is a very rare condition where serious muscle damage causes the release of muscle cell contents into the bloodstream. In rare instances, rhabdomyolysis may result in kidney and other organ damage, which may be fatal.
Phenylpropanolamine (PPA)
According to the FDA, it has issued a public health advisory and is taking steps to remove phenylpropanolamine (PPA) from all drug products and has requested all drug companies discontinue marketing products containing PPA. PPA is an ingredient used in many over-the-counter and prescription cough and cold medications as a decongestant and in over-the-counter weight loss products. Taking PPA increases the risk of hemorrhagic stroke, or bleeding into the brain. Women and men alike are at risk. While the risk of hemorrhagic stroke is very low, the FDA recommends that consumers not take any products containing PPA. If you think you or a family member has been injured as a result of PPA, contact the Miami, Florida, dangerous and defective drug attorneys at Panter, Panter & Sampedro, P.A.
PPA Information Page —
http://fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/informationbydrugclass/ucm150738.htm