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Message Boards Show Chantix Effects are Real

Scott Kappes — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 10:20:45 GMT

Every day I am finding more and more people who have experience drastic side effects while using the drug Chantix, side effects which are not listed in the Chantix warning label. Chantix is a new drug, manufactured by Pfizer, to purportedly help people quit smoking. The results experienced by many of the people who have taken this drug range from severe depression, psychotic episodes and attempted suicide. With so many people experiencing these sometimes long-lasting symptoms, it is a wonder that Chantix has not warned against this.

Chantix is currently using big money to advertise on highly publicized locations such as NFL half-time shows, Yahoo and many more. Of course the commercials mention nothing about the serious side-effects. There are a number of blogs and message boards dedicated to the "unpublicized" side effects, however, Pfizer has yet to announce these.

There have been some very scary things posted about Chantix over the recent weeks on message boards from people all over the world. I read a post last Wednesday from a Milwaukee man that sent chills down my spine. He claims that after a few beers and his normal regimen of Chantix he was awoken by his wife screaming at him the next morning. She wanted to know how long their 3 month-old son had been sleeping on the sun porch.

"The last thing I remember is putting him in his crib. So I must have slept walked with my boy!!! Crazy!! I may discontinue the med, gonna see if it happens again. If it was winter time the situation could have been deadly!"

He is completely right this could have been deadly. There are hundreds of other complaints on dozens of other message boards associated with the side effects of this drug. Chantix is a relatively new drug and does not have a wealth of research behind it. Of course it is never a good idea to mix any drug with alcohol but many people do. Adverse events with this drug should be reported top the FDA and we would also like to hear about your experience.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Drugs, Medical Devices, and Implants.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

J & J Fighting Levaquin Bellwether Consolidation

Scott Kappes — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:04:14 GMT

Levaquin maker Johnson & Johnson is fighting attempts by plaintiffs to consolidate the first three bellwether levaquin lawsuits in to one trial.

The company is facing hundreds of levaquin lawsuits that have been filed in both state and federal courts. The lawsuits allege that the company’s popular antibiotic medication, Levaquin, is the cause of tendon ruptures, tendonitis, and other tendon problems that have been suffered by patients who have taken the medication.

Levaquin lawsuits filed in federal court have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the U.S. District court of Minnesota.

The first cases selected for trial are known as Bellwether cases. Bellwether trials play an important role in determining how a jury will react to the issues of that are present throughout the MDL and potentially laying the groundwork for a possible settlement.

Plaintiffs’ attorneys have proposed to consolidate the first three Bellwether cases into a single trial, claiming that the cases have similar injuries, claims, and situations and that would be more efficient for the court to handle them as a single trial.

Attorneys for the Johnson & Johnson, and it subsidiary Ortho-McNeil, disagree and argue that the potential differences in plaintiffs’ medical history and unique injuries suffered by each plaintiff may confuse the jury.

After years of pressure from the consumer advocates group Public Citizen, in July of 2008 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finally required the makers of Levaquin and other similar medications to update the warning labels for the class of antibiotics known as floroquinoles. The updated label now carries the FDA’s strongest available warning, the infamous black box warning, for an increased risk of tendon problems including tendon rupture in users of Levaquin and other flouroquinolone antibiotics.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

“Black Box” Warning Issued for Levaquin and Cipro

Scott Kappes — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:11:43 GMT

Last week the FDA announced that fluoroquinolone antimicrobial drugs, like Levaquin and Cipro, would now carry the agency’s strictest warning. Antimicrobial drugs are used to treat or prevent certain types of serious bacterial infections, including pneumonia. These drugs have been linked to an increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture. The FDA notified manufacturers that the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) is necessary to ensure that the benefits outweigh the risks associated with the medications.

The risk of developing fluoroquinolone-associated tendinitis and tendon rupture is further increased in people older than 60, in those taking corticosteroid drugs, and in kidney, heart, and lung transplant recipients. Patients experiencing pain, swelling, inflammation of a tendon or tendon rupture should be advised to stop taking their fluoroquinolone medication and to contact their health care professional promptly about changing their antimicrobial therapy. Patients should also avoid exercise and using the affected area at the first sign of tendon pain, swelling, or inflammation.

The FDA also notified drug manufacturers that a Medication Guide should now be provided with this class of medication to ensure that patients understand the risks that they may be exposed to. The agency advised physicians that caution should be exercised when prescribing fluoroquinolones and said that each patient’s risk should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

Arthritis Drugs Increase Cancer Risk in Children

Scott Kappes — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:07:52 GMT

The list of warnings associated with the class of medications commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other ailments continue to increase. Today the FDA announced that the labels for the popular arthritis drugs Remicade, Humira, Cimzia, Simponi, and Embrel will now carry a boxed warning to highlight an increased risk of cancer in children and adolescents that take these medications.

In addition, the FDA is working with manufacturers to explore new ways to further define the risk of cancer in children and adolescents who use these drugs.

The action the FDA took today is based on the completion of data that was first announced by the administration last June. Analysis of the data showed an increased risk of cancer in children and adolescents after about 30 months of treatment. Roughly half of the cancers were lymphomas and some reported cases of cancer were fatal.

More information is availible at the FDA website.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

Actavis Totowa Issues Recall for All Products Made at NJ Plant

Scott Kappes — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:57:19 GMT

Late last week generic drug maker, Actavis Totowa, announced a voluntary recall of all medications produced at their Little Falls, New Jersey facility. The recall was issued after an FDA inspection revealed that operations at the facility were not up to par. Actavis Totowa has recently been under fire over the recent recall of the popular heart medication Digitek, and allegations of inadequate quality control that allowed some of the pills to be produced at double their normal thickness and therefore contain double the appropriate amount of the active ingredient.

According to Actavis Totowa the recall of the products made at the Little Falls facility was not prompted by concerns over the problems with the medication but rather a precautionary measure. All of the recalled products are prescription medications. Patients with these medications are encouraged to continue take them as prescribed. If patients wish to obtain replacement medication they should contact their physician.

The list of recalled product is as follows:

Amantadine 100mg capsules

Meperidine & Promethazine capsules

Amibid DM ER tablets

Meperidine HCl 100 mg and 50 mg tablets

Amibid DM tablets

Methenamine Mandelate 0.5 g and 1.0 g tablets

Amidrine capsules

Mirtazapine 15 mg, 30 mg, and 45 mg tablets

Amigesic 500 mg caplets and 750 mg caplets

Mirtazapine OD tablets, 15 mg, 30 mg and 45 mg

Amitex PSE tablets

Multi-ret Folic 500 mg tablets

Bellamine S tablets

Multi-vita-bets 0.5 mg and 1.0 mg FL & FE tablets

Betaxolol 10 mg and 20 mg tablets USP

Multi-vita-bets 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg and 1 mg FL tablets

Buspirone HCL 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg and 30mg tablets

Naltrexone 50mg tablets

Carisoprodol & Aspirin tablets

Oxycodone & Acetaminophen 5/500mg capsules

Carisoprodol, Aspirin & Codeine tablets

Oxycodone HCl 5 mg, 15 mg and 30 mg tablets

Carisoprodol 350mg tablets

Oxycodone HCl 5 mg capsules

Chlordiazepoxide w/ Clidinium Bromide capsules

Pentazocine & Acetaminophen tablets

Chlorzoxazone 250mg

Pentazocine & Naloxone tablets

Cilostazol tablets 100mg

Phenazopyridine HCl 100 mg and 200 mg tablets

Choline Magnesium Trisalicylate 500 mg, 750 mg and 1000 mg tablets

Phendimetrazine Tartrate 35mg tablets

Cyclobenzaprine HCL 5 mg and 10 mg

Phentermine HCl 37.5 mg tablets

Dexchlorpheniramine Maleate 4 mg and 6 mg tablets

Phentermine HCl 15 mg, 30 mg and 37.5 mg capsules

Dipyridamole 25 mg, 50mg, and 75 mg tablets

Prenatal Formula 3 tablets

Glyburide 1.5 mg, 3.0 mg and 6.0 mg tablets

Prenatal Plus 27 mg FE tablets

Guaifenesin & Codeine Phosphate tablets

Prenatal Rx tablets

Guaifenesin & Phenylephrine tablets

Quinaretic 10mg/12.5mg, 20 mg/12.5 mg and 20 mg/25 mg tablets

Guanfacine 1.0 mg and 2.0 mg HCl tablets

Rifampin 300mg capsules

Hydrocodone & Homatropine tablets

Sodium FL 0.5 mg and 1.0 mg tablets

Hydromorphone HCl tablets

Tizanidine HCl 2 mg and 4 mg tablets

Hydroxyzine 10 mg, 25 mg and 50 mg tablets

Trimethobenzamide 300mg capsules

Hyoscyamine Sulfate 0.125 mg SL

Trimipramine Maleate 25mg, 50mg, 100mg capsules

Hyoscyamine Sulfate 0.375mg SR tablets

Trivita 1 mg FL tablets

Hyoscyamine Sulfate 0.125 mg (oral) tablets

Ursodiol capsules, 300mg

Isradipine 2.5 mg and 5 mg capsules

Vitacon Forte capsules

Loxapine 5 mg, 10 mg, 25 mg, and 50 mg capsules

Vitaplex Plus tablets

Meclizine Chewable 25 mg tablets

Vitaplex tablets (FC)

Meloxicam 7.5 mg and 15 mg tablets

Yohimbine HCl 5.4 mg tablets

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

FDA Warns of Potential Harm From Eyelash Enhancers

Scott Kappes — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 17:00:00 GMT

The FDA has seized more than $2 million worth of what they characterize as an "unapproved and misbranded drug" that claims to lengthen eyelashes. The Age Intervention Eyelash, produced by Jan Marini Skin Research, contains bimatoprost, an ingredient in the popular glaucoma medication Lumigan. Lumigan has been seen to lengthen eyelashes in glaucoma patients an many cosmetic companies are attempting cash in buy producing mascara like products with variations of Lumigan ingredients.

Some doctors are prescribing Lumigan to their patients through off-label prescription to lengthen their eyelashes. Earlier this month Allergan Inc., the makers of Lumigan, filed a patent infringement lawsuit, claiming that several cosmetic companies have used its drug or variations thereof in their products.

Jan Marini Skin Research claims that the seized merchandise has been discontinued last year when the FDA raised questions about it. They insist that state officials embargoed the seized items at that point in time. The FDA has also launched an investigation into Athena Cosmetics' RevitaLash, and PhotoMedex's MD Lash Factor.

All of the manufacturers in question maintain their innocence and call Allergan's lawsuit "baseless." The FDA warns the eyelash enhancement drugs could cause a decrease in vision and cause irreversible darkening of the iris if it leaked into the eye.

Neither the FDA nor the manufacturers of the eyelash enhancement drugs say that they have received any adverse reports involving the products.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

Severe Injuries Linked to Levaquin

Scott Kappes — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:08:00 GMT

Levaquin is and antibiotic medication that was recently given a “black box” warning from the FDA. Levaquin is in a class of antibiotic medications known as fluoroquinolones that are used to treat certain types of infections. I have been searching the internet and the blogosphere and have heard hundreds of horror stories of people who have taken the Levaquin, or the similar drug Cipro, and will never be same because it.

It is astonishing to read the claims made by victims of these dangerous medications. The “black box” warning recently issued is long overdue if the stories posted on forums and around the blogospere are any indication as to the dangers that can be attributed to these drugs.

While this new warning cannot spare those who have already suffer such debilitating injuries as ruptured Achilles tendons and other severely painful and destructive adverse reactions as a result being prescribed Levaquin and Cipro, hopefully it will help reduce the number of victims that will have to suffer from these injuries in the future.

If you have suffered an injury related to the Levaquin or Cipro please post your comments here. Together we can spread the word about the dangers of these drugs and God willing spare others from the pain and agony that thousands have already been forced to endure.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

Levaquin: A Prescription for Tendon Trouble

Scott Kappes — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:00:16 GMT

Thousands of people suffer tendon injuries each and every year. Many of these injuries are sustained as a result of strenuous physical activity or certain ailments that increase the likelihood of tendon injuries; however, many Americans are now suffering from tendonitis, tendon ruptures, and other tendon related injuries as a side effect of prescription antibiotic medications, like Levaquin.

Levaquin is a prescription antibiotic medication in a class of antibiotics known as flouroquinolones. In July of 2008 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) added their highest available warning, the “black box” warning, to the label of Levaquin and other flouroquinolone medications due to a disproportionate number of tendon ruptures and tendonitis among flouroquinolone users.

The data the FDA looked at when deciding to issue the black box warning suggests that Achilles tendon ruptures occur 3 to 4 more times more frequently in patients treated with flouroquinolones than in the general public.

Flouroquinolones, like Levaquin, are commonly used to treat serious infections like pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, sinus infections, chronic prostate infection, acute kidney infection, and various types of skin infections. Levaquin has been linked to numerous serious side effects including tendonitis, tendon injury, tendon rupture, renal failure, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and many other side effects.

Adverse events associated with use of Levaquin and other flouroquinolone antibiotics should be reported to the FDA through the MedWatch reporting program, which and be reached by phone at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Experienced Injuryboard attorneys may be able to help those who have suffered debilitating injuries as a result of taking Levaquin. Victims of this dangerous medication may have the ability to recover compensation for medical expenses and other economic and compensatory damages that have been incurred due to their taking of Levaquin.

If you or a loved one have suffered a tendon rupture or tendonitis and have taken Levaquin, Injuryboard can help.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

More Claims of Adverse Chantix Reactions

Scott Kappes — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 16:33:28 GMT

The stop smoking medication Chantix has been getting some unwanted attention recently in the media. Claims of Chantix causing some very strange and intense side effects have been surfacing quite a bit after the Labor Day shooting of Dallas musician Carter Albrecht. His girlfriend's neighbor tragically shot and killed Albrecht after he apparently tried to kick the door in of his house early Labor Day morning. Albrecht had been taking the prescription anti-smoking drug Chantix for about a week, when the event occurred. His girlfriend claims that he was not aware of his surroundings and was in a dreamlike state when his violent outburst occurred. She blames Chantix for the normally mild mannered Albrecht's psychotic actions that morning.

Today ABC news published an article on the event and has had several responses already of people claiming that they experienced reactions similar to Albrecht after taking Chantix. Feelings of depression and sadness seem to be a common theme through most of the responses, but moreover others claim to have had violent feelings after mixing Chantix with alcohol. The really scary part about the posts that I read is the abundance of people taking the drug that claim to have thoughts of suicide while taking the drug with no history of suicidal ideation. Another perplexing thing about what I have read on the adverse effects of this drug is the randomness of those claiming these events. Some rave about the drug saying that it was the best thing that ever happened to them: took Chantix, quit smoking, had no side effects, and couldn't be happier; while others claim bizarre actions and thoughts and even attempts on their own life.

One woman wrote:

My husband and I took Chantix for 13 days. On the 13th day, without any prior history, he tried to take his own life. If you read the PATIENT INFORMATION SHEET included in the medicines package, suicidal ideation and psychotic episodes are listed under rare side effects. I was told by the doctors that any drug that alters the brain chemistry (and this does) can cause extreme side effects in certain cases. So many people say that this is a miracle drug and the it is great, yet when will it be decided that enough people have died or had severe reactions? I have told everyone that I know, that if they are on it or know anyone on it, to tell their doctors if they or their loved ones notice any problems. If you want to see other comments on people that have had bad reactions go to, http://treatmentonline.com/treatment.php?id=710 My listing is on there on June 25 telling our story. Also, he had to undergo evaluation and in his MEDICAL RECORDS, it states that he has no history and displays no suicidal tendencies. The doctors are even wondering if this is what happened with him. I feel for Carter Albrecht's girlfriend and family, if I had not been home, I would would be blaming this drug and the company and public would think I was looking for an excuse, but I know that this is a dangerous drug and it will only be a matter of time before we start to see more stories like mine and theirs.

For more information on this subject matter, please refer to our section on Drugs, Medical Devices, and Implants.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

New Study Links Levaquin to Double Vision

Scott Kappes — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:48:00 GMT

According to a recent L.A. times blog post a new study has linked Levaquin, Cipro, and drugs in a group of antibiotics known as flouroquinolones, to the onset of double vision. When reviewing hundreds of reports of eye problems in people taking flouroquinolones researchers at the Casey Eye Institute at the Oregon Health and Science University discovered a disproportionate number of double vision occurrences.

Researched found 171 reports of double vision associated with the use of flouroquinolones, like Levaquin and Cipro. Flouroquinolones have previously been linked to tendon ruptures, tendinitis, liver damage, and other complications.

Numerous lawsuits have been filed throughout the nation on behalf of individuals who have suffered from tendinitis and extremely painful tendon ruptures associated with the use of flouroquinolones.

Luckily it appears that double vision symptoms associated with these medications are reversible. The study found that in 53 reported cases double vision symptoms subsided shortly after the antibiotics were discontinued.

It is unclear exactly why Levaquin and other similar medications appear to cause double vision; however, researchers speculate that the drugs may affect the tendons which control the eyes, leading to an inability to focus properly.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes