InjuryBoard Philadelphia Archives

• Overdose Danger for Effexor

  Jamie Sheller | October 26, 2006 1:17 PM | 0 Comments
  Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs

  Wyeth recently notified doctors about changes to the prescribing information for Effexor and Effexor XR. According to the manufacturer, studies have shown that there is a higher risk of an overdose being fatal with Effexor and Effexor XR than with SSRI antidepressants. Doctors are urged to prescribe the smallest amount of pills possible, while maintaining good patient management, to reduce...

• Recall of Blood Clotting Test Strips

  Jamie Sheller | October 25, 2006 12:38 PM | 0 Comments
  Category: Medical Malpractice

  Recently, Roche Diagnostics issued a recall of CoaguCheck PT test strips. Patients using anticoagulants or blood thinners have their blood tested to determine clotting time. The strips are used for that purpose, both by patients at home and by medical professionals. Depending on the blood clotting time, corrective measures may need to be taken. A defect in the CoaguCheck PT strips may cause...

• New Precautions For The Use of Gleevec

  Jamie Sheller | October 20, 2006 12:52 PM | 0 Comments
  Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs

  Recently, Novartis notified doctors of a revision in the labeling of Gleevec. The Precautions Section of the Gleevec label will now include a statement that there have been reports of patients who have developed severe congestive heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction while using Gleevec. The new labeling came after Nature Medicine published an article which looked at 10 Gleevec...

• Elderly At Higher Risk for Adverse Drug Reactions

  Jamie Sheller | October 19, 2006 2:20 PM | 0 Comments
  Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs

  Recent government research shows that each year, over 700,000 Americans are sent to emergency rooms by adverse drug reactions. The greatest risks are for people over 65. Compared to younger people, those older than 65 had a significantly greater risk of requiring emergency room treatment or hospital admission resulting from adverse drug reactions. Two of the main culprits for adverse reacions...

• No Significant Benefit With Atypical Antipsychotics For Alzheimer's Patients

  Jamie Sheller | October 13, 2006 2:49 PM | 0 Comments
  Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs

  A recent study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, suggests that the adverse effects of three atypical antipsychotics outweighed their benefits for patients with Alzheimer's disease. The three drugs studied were Zyprexa, Seroquel and Risperdal. The study is being reported in the October 12 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. According to the director of the National...

• Revised Labeling for Coumadin

  Jamie Sheller | October 09, 2006 2:30 PM | 1 Comments
  Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs

  Recently, the labeling for Coumadin was revised. Coumadin is made by Bristol -Myers Squibb, and is used to prevent harmful blood clots. The FDA and Bristol-Myers Squibb notified doctors and pharmacists of the revised labeling. The labeling revisions included reorganizing and highlighting safety information and a new Medication Guide. According to FDA regulations, a Medication Guide must be...

• Fire At A North Carolina Industrial Waste Plant Causes Evacuation

  Jamie Sheller | October 06, 2006 1:33 PM | 0 Comments
  Category: Miscellaneous

  Approximately half of the residents of Apex, North Carolina, were told to evacuate their homes following an explosion and fire at the Environmental Quality Industrial Services plant, which processes a variety of industrial waste. The accident sent a gas cloud over part of the city. Later, a yellowish haze hovered in the air and there was a smell of chlorine. Chlorine gas, which has an...

• Bayer Failed to Disclose Trasylol Data

  Jamie Sheller | October 03, 2006 9:47 AM | 0 Comments
  Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs

  Bayer Corporation failed to share data on the risks of Trasylol with the FDA. Trasylol is a drug that slows or prevents bleeding and is often used in heart surgery. The data came from a retrospective study, done for Bayer by a contract research organization, suggesting an increased risk of death, kidney damage, heart failure and strokes with the use of Trasylol. Bayer did not provide the...