Archive for the ‘Drug Injury’ Category

  Bloomberg News (1/14, Torsoli) reported that two patients taking the Multaq (dronedarone) heart treatment have suffered liver failure. ” Sanofi will inform doctors about liver function test results and injuries reported in patients treated with Multaq, including two cases of acute liver failure” according to a company spokesman. Multaq, “cleared for sale in 2009, …

HealthDay (12/3, Reinberg) reported, “Pregnant women with epilepsy who are taking carbamazepine (Tegretol) to control seizures may be at a slightly increased risk of having an infant with spina bifida, a new study finds.” The research team “reviewed existing research to determine the risk of birth defects among women taking Tegretol.” They “found that infants …

  Osteoporosis drugs like Fosamax and Boniva have been linked to increased risk of fractures in the thigh bone,” according to the FDA. Now, drug companies are being required to warn customers with new labeling on their products.  You can read all about this in recent article in the Washington Post (10/14, Stein). According to …

If you have Diabetes or know someone who has the disease, you’ll want to read this announcement about Avandia. The New York Times reported that in a highly unusual coordinated announcement, drug regulators in Europe and the United States said Thursday that Avandia, the controversial diabetes medicine, would no longer be widely available.The drug’s sales …

  The Associated Press (9/14, Perrone) reports that “Almost a year after studies showed the diet pill Meridia [sibutramine] increases heart attack and stroke risk, US health regulators announced they will consider pulling the Abbott Laboratories’ drug off the market.” Do you use this dietary supplement? If so data “released in November showed patients with …

CNN (8/10, Willingham) “The Chart” blog reported, “Over the years, numerous studies have shown that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increases a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer.” For many women, however, “questions about side effects, hormone combinations, and length of hormone use are still unanswered, causing confusion. And some continue to take hormones to relieve …

  This isn’t a big surprise, but worth keeping in mind. Don’t believe everything you read. Be a smart consumer of health care! The Los Angeles Times (8/2, Roan) “Booster Shots” blog reported, “According to an analysis of drug trials published Monday, studies were much more likely to be positive — that is, showing the …

Bloomberg News (7/9, Harris, Tirrell) reported that on July 8 in US District Court, Northern District of Illinois (Chicago), “Johnson & Johnson…was sued by US consumers accusing it of fraud and racketeering, and demanding cash refunds for recalled children’s cold and allergy medicines.” The five lawsuits “seek to proceed on behalf of plaintiffs’ groups for …

  ABC World News (7/14, story 5, 0:25, Sawyer) reported, “A surprise decision on Avandia [rosiglitazone]. Advisers to the Food and Drug Administration recommended keeping Avandia on the market,” although most “advisers did recommend stricter warning labels and the FDA will now decide which course to take.” The New York Times (7/15, A1, Harris) reports …

If you suffer from diabetes, you need to read this. ABC World News (6/28, story 7, 2:20, Sawyer) reported, “Two major studies have found the medicine called Avandia [rosiglitazone] could create a significant new risk of heart attack and other serious problems.” The Washington Post (6/29, Stein) reports that one study, “involving more than 35,500 …