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16
May

Anti-Depressant Use During Pregnancy Linked with Pre-Term Labor and Delayed Head Growth

May 16, 2012

Babies of mothers who took anti-depressants during pregnancy are at increased risk for preterm birth and have delayed head growth, according to new research published in the Archives of General Psychiatry.

The study looked at 70,696 pregnant women with maternal depression—some taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and some who went untreated. Each trimester of their pregnancies was monitored with fetal ultrasonography.

In addition, an earlier study conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration showed that infants born to mothers who took SSRIs after the 20th week of pregnancy were six times more likely to have persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) than infants born to mothers who did not take antidepressants during pregnancy.

Due to the similar way SSRIs interact with our brains, the entire class of drugs has been linked to instances of birth defects. Specific products include: Celexa® (citalopram), Lexapro® (escitalopram), Luvox® (fluvoxamine), Paxil® (paroxetine), Prozac® (fluoxetine), Symbyax® (olanzapine/fluoxetine), and Zoloft® (sertraline).

The Antidepressant Drug Injury Lawyers at Ferrer, Poirot & Wansbrough know that women face numerous decisions during their pregnancies and only want the best for their future children. Because the use of SSRIs during pregnancy has been linked to babies born with birth defects that can be severe and even life-threatening, we recommend that women who begin or continue taking an anti-depressant during pregnancy speak with their OBGYN and general practitioner about the risks of SSRI use.

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20
Jul

Free contraception leaves room for drug injury

July 21, 2011

According to washingtontimes.com, a nonpartisan panel recommended that birth control and other serves related to women’s health should be covered by health insurance. This could cause a rise in drug injury from birth control pills if more women are prescribed them.

Birth control could be and easier drug to gain access to, and doctors could over-prescribe the drug to patients who are at great risk for experiencing drug injury from the hormones and other side effects.

Because of the sensitivity surrounding the subject, the Institute of Medicine has been asked to consider the necessary risks of drug injury, among other concerts, and report the findings of potential issues.

Read more.

Do you think contraceptives should be free for women? Do you think there’s the potential of birth control pills being over-prescribed?

Tell the drug injury lawyers at Ferrer, Poirot & Wansbrough Attorneys at Law if you or someone you know has suffered drug injuries.

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13
Jul

Company issues voluntary recall to reduce risk of drug injury

July 14, 2011

When the Food and Drug Administration issues a recall, it’s to help prevent drug injury from occurring.

In recent weeks the McNeil Consumer HealthCare announced a voluntary recall of extra strength Tylenol after consumers reported an odor coming from the bottle, according to fda.gov.

According to the site, the batch was manufactured in February of 2009. The company took action to reduce the risk of serious drug injury.

Do you think it’s good practice for drug companies to issue voluntary drug recalls to inform consumers of the risk of drug injury? Do you think consumers pay enough attention to voluntary drug recalls?

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Tell the drug injury lawyers at Ferrer, Poirot & Wansbrough Attorneys at Law if you or someone you know has suffered drug injuries.

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29
Jun

Drug injury risks could increase after Supreme Court ruling

June 30, 2011

A new ruling from the US Supreme Court stated that makers of generic drugs are immune from warning the public about side effects that could cause drug injury.

But generic drug makers must be in compliance with federal requirements when making labels that include drug injury risks.

This ruling could promote more risk of drug injury because many insurance companies require patients to use generic drugs whenever possible and some generic drug labels don’t disclose all of the side effects.

According to usatoday.com, 75% of prescriptions drugs in the United states are generics.

Read more.

Does this decision change your mind about being prescribed generic drugs? Do you think the same laws for brand-name drugs should apply to generic drugs?

Tell the drug injury lawyers at Ferrer, Poirot & Wansbrough Attorneys at Law if you or someone you know has suffered drug injuries.

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22
Jun

Cholesterol drug may promote drug injury

June 23, 2011

Many people take medication to control high blood pressure, but high dosages could result in drug injury.

According to a story from AFP, high doses of anti-cholesterol drugs have been found cause a serious drug injury, increasing the chances of diabetes in patients.

Though the drugs, known as statins, did help with cholesterol, it was unclear as to whether or not they were worth risking the chance of drug injury.

Earlier this month, a warning was issued by the US Food and Drug Administration about simvastatin because of the chance of drug injury. The drug was linked to increase the risk of muscle injury.

Read more.

Would you risk a drug injury if you knew a drug you were prescribed caused side effects that could harm you? Do you feel comfortable talking to your doctor about potential harmful side effects?

Tell the drug injury lawyers at Ferrer, Poirot & Wansbrough Attorneys at Law if you or someone you know has suffered drug injuries.

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15
Jun

Zithromax side effects may result in drug injury

June 16, 2011

During cold and flu season, it’s not uncommon for doctors to prescribe Zithromax, but anytime a drug is prescribed there is a risk for drug injuries.

Zithromax is used to treat adults and children, and a drug injury can result in either age group.

According to drugs.com, developing an allergic reaction may prompt a drug injury if you don’t discuss the drug’s common side effects with your healthcare provider.

Drug injury with Zithromax may also occur if you have liver disease, kidney disease, or other disorders, so check with your doctor before taking the medication.

Read more.

Since antibiotics are prescribed more often than other medications, do you think some people think they’re not at risk for drug injury? Do you ever feel rushed in the doctor’s office and as if you’re unable to ask questions?

Tell the drug injury lawyers at Ferrer, Poirot & Wansbrough Attorneys at Law if you or someone you know has suffered drug injuries.

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8
Jun

Multiple prescription interactions could cause serious drug injury

June 9, 2011

Patients who take multiple prescription medications should talk to their doctor about drug interactions because the risk of drug injury.

According to redorbit.com, a study conducted at Stanford University School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University and Harvard Medical School discovered that Paxil, when taken with Pravachol, resulted in a serious drug injury risk – a rise in blood glucose levels.

Pravachol is a drug prescribed to lower cholesterol.

Researchers made the discovery of the potential drug injury using adverse-event reporting database methods maintained by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other sophisticated electronic medical records.

Read more.

Does your doctor ask you about other medications you’re taking before prescribing you something else? Does your medical professional inform you of all the potential side effects?

Tell the drug injury lawyers at Ferrer, Poirot & Wansbrough Attorneys at Law if you or someone you know has suffered drug injuries.

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2
Jun

Counterfeit Viagra sold could lead to drug injury

June 2, 2011

A woman has pleaded guilty to selling thousands of counterfeit Viagra pills, something that could possibly lead to drug injuries, according to thebaynet.com.

The woman used Craigslist as a way of selling and distributing the fake pills over the course of four months.

People looking for cheaper alternatives to buying medication can avoid drug injury by not buying them off the internet. Though it might sound like a common practice, buying drugs over the internet can have serious consequences and may cause death because buyers don’t know exactly what they’re getting.

A search warrant was executed at the woman’s residence, and more than 45,000 counterfeit Viagra tablets were seized at her house.

The woman faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $2 million fine for subjecting buyers to potential drug injury with counterfeit Viagra pills.

Read more.

Would you ever purchase drugs over the internet? How do you think think today’s economy has lead people to take risks with their health?

Tell the drug injury lawyers at Ferrer, Poirot & Wansbrough Attorneys at Law if you or someone you know has suffered drug injuries.

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25
May

Drug injury may result from birth control pill

May 26, 2011

When a woman decides to take birth control, there are a few health risks she must consider, and drug injuries are a possibility.

Yaz and Yasmin have been mentioned in the news several times for their known drug injuries, and the US Drug Watchdog is expanding its national investigation of both drugs, according to sfgate.com.

Some of the potential drug injuries that could result from using Yaz or Yasmin could result in serious gallbladder issues, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, heart attacks, strokes and other serious side effects.

Read more.

What questions do you ask your doctor before you’re prescribed a medication that could result in a serious drug injury? Does your doctor let you know about potential drug injuries when prescribing a new medication?

Tell the drug injury lawyers at Ferrer, Poirot & Wansbrough Attorneys at Law if you or someone you know has suffered drug injuries.

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18
May

Paxil drug injuries and birth injuries causing a stir

May 19, 2011

Antidepressants have been used to treat depression and other mood disorders for many years. In fact, many people depend on these drugs to help them function daily. But what if a medication you relied on was suddenly being questioned?

That’s what many patients who take SSRIs like Paxil are facing after these drugs have been associated with drug injuries, including suicide and birth injuries.

According to Today’s Legal News, the family of a young woman who committed suicide is suing GlaxoSmithKline because they claim the company was negligent in warning of the risk for Paxil drug injuries such as increased suicide risks and birth injuries.

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Do you take an SSRI such as Paxil? Are you concerned about the recent increase in risks for birth and drug injuries? Tell the drug injury lawyers at Ferrer, Poirot & Wansbrough Attorneys at Law if you have suffered drug injuries.

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