Prescription Drug-Related Injuries and Deaths Have More Than Doubled
A study released on Tuesday shows that the number of cases where serious health issues (including personal injury and wrongful death) were caused by prescription medication has increased dramatically between 1998 and 2007.
In 1998, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported 34,966 incidents where someone experienced adverse reactions to drugs. This year, the figure was 89,842. The study can be found in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
The FDA defines serious side effects to drugs as including resulting birth defect, wrongful death, hospitalization, or disability. The study results come from reports made by drug makers to the FDA.
Close to 1500 drugs were named for causing serious health injuries to users. Painkillers was responsible for a large number of health problems. The drug ranked number one as a cause of death over the eight-year time frame was Oxycodone, which was held responsible for 5,548 fatalities. The study can be found in the latest issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Every year, millions of people in the U.S. take prescription drugs and over the counter medicines to treat different health problems and medical conditions or to stay healthy. It is unfortunate that the use of certain medications have lead to serious injuries, health problems, and the death of many users.
Here is a list of some of the potentially serious and deadly side effects that can occur from a "dangerous" drug:
• Vomiting
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Insomnia
• Kidney failure
• Birth defect
• Memory loss
• Hypertension
• Stomach aches
• Death
It is frequently not until after many victims are injured or killed because of a particular pharmaceutical drug that a drug recall is issued.
Over the years, victims of the following defective drugs have filed dangerous drug claims and lawsuits against manufacturers or other liable parties:
• Celebrex
• ReNu
• Trileptal
• Ortho Evra
• Fosamax
• Vioxx
• Bextra
• Fen Phen
• HRT
• PPA
Bad reactions to prescription drugs soar, The Washington Times, September 11, 2007
Related Web Resources:
Dangerous Prescription, PBS.org
If you or someone you love has become ill or seriously injured from using a pharmaceutical drug, do not hesitate to contact the Law Offices of Michael A. DeMayo LLP. We represent clients in North Carolina and South Carolina in all areas of personal injury law, and we have successfully handled many drug litigation cases.
We would like to offer you a free consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers to explore your legal options. Contact the Law Offices of Michael A. DeMayo LLP today.
