Posts tagged Drug Products

• Rotavirus Vaccine Gets FDA Warning

  Jamie Sheller | February 15, 2007 7:58 AM | 1 CommentPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  Rotavirus is the leading cause of early childhood diarrhea. A new vaccine to protect against rotavirus has recently received a government warning. The FDA says that the vaccine, called RotaTeq, may be linked to a condition called intussusception, which is twisting of the intestines. The condition also occurs spontaneously. However, an increased risk of intussusception caused the market...

• Revised Labeling for Coumadin

  Jamie Sheller | October 09, 2006 2:30 PM | 1 CommentPhiladelphia, PA 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...

• Concerns Raised By Use of Antipsychotics By Children

  Jamie Sheller | March 21, 2006 8:51 AM | 1 CommentPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  A recent study demonstrates that the use of antipsychotics in children has increased from about 8.6 out of every 1,000 children in the mid-1990's to almost 40 out of 1,000. Antipsychotics include drugs such as Zyprexa and Risperdal, which generally cost several dollars per pill. These drugs are heavily marketed by the drug companies. Increasingly, children are being prescribed antipsychotic...

• New Jersey Drug Companies May Be Sued There By Out-of-State Plaintiffs

  Jamie Sheller | March 10, 2006 10:28 AM | 1 CommentPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  According to the New Jersey Appellate Division, a out-of-state plaintiff may continue his product liability case against Hoffman-La Roche. In the case, Rowe v. Hoffman-La Roche, Mr. Rowe alleges that the acne drug Accutane, which is manufactured by Hoffman-La Roche, caused his depression and suicide attempt. A lower court had dismissed the suit because the plaintiff is from Michigan and under...

• Merck Trying To Sever Vioxx Defective Drug Cases

  Jamie Sheller | February 24, 2006 8:39 AM | 1 CommentPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  Merck Pharmaceutical Company is attempting to sever two Vioxx defective drug cases scheduled to begin trial on February 27, 2006. Thomas Cona and John McDarby both allege to have suffered heart attacks after taking Vioxx for more than two years, and their cases are set to be tried together in Atlantic City, New Jersey. However, in a motion to sever the cases, Merck argues that the facts are...

• Pa. Court Rejects Patient's Negligent Promotion Claim

  Jamie Sheller | October 28, 2005 11:32 AM | 1 CommentPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  The Pa. Superior Court in Pierce v. Northwstern Human Services, Inc. (Pa. Super Sept.22, 2005) rejected the plaintiff's claims. This tragic case involves a plaintiff, Pierce, who suffers serious psychiatric problems. He was prescribed a medication which, according to the warning label, had to be maintained at proper levels to control his psychotic behavior. The manufacturer of this drug decided...

• Anemia Drugs Given Stronger Warnings

  Jamie Sheller | March 26, 2008 9:59 AM | 0 CommentsPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  The makers of Aranesp, Epogen and Procrit have recently been advised by the FDA to expand its black box warnings. The new warnings indicate the risks of death and tumor growth when used by cancer patients with early stage breast cancer or cancer in the head and neck. Aransep, Epogen and Procrit are popular drugs used to treat the blood disorder anemia in patients with kidney failure and those...

• Heparin contaminated with Counterfeit Ingredient

  Jamie Sheller | March 12, 2008 12:53 PM | 0 CommentsPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  In January 2008, Baxter Healthcare voluntarily recalled various lots of its blood thinner, Heparin. The recall was due to an increase in reports of adverse patient reactions. These reactions included abdominal pain, decreased blood pressure, chest pain, loss of consciousness, and hypotension. This voluntary recall was followed by a more extensive recall mandated by the FDA in February of...

• GlaxoSmithKline Escapes Criminal Prosecution

  Jamie Sheller | March 10, 2008 11:32 AM | 0 CommentsPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  Drugmaker, GlaxoSmithKline, escapes criminal prosecution in Britian, for withholding information about adverse effects of its drug, Seroxat. Seroxat, is marketed in the United States, as Paxil. According to Britian authorities, GlaxoSmithKline had information that Seroxat could increase sucidial thoughts in teens under the age of 18. However, GlaxoSmithKline did not release that information...

• Tysabri May Damage Liver

  Jamie Sheller | February 29, 2008 2:18 PM | 0 CommentsPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  Once again the FDA has updated the label on the drug Tysabri. Tysabri, manufactured by Biogen Idec, Inc. and Elan Corp. Plc., is used by pateints with multiple sclerosis. Signs of liver damage occurred in some patients taking the drug. Liver problems may lead to death or the need for a transplant.