What Types of Injuries Can Be Caused By Defective Drugs?

 Posted on June 27, 2019 in Personal Injury

Everyone has seen the medicine commercials that read off the laundry list of negative side effects that prescription drugs can have on those who take them. While it is unlikely for a drug to have zero side effects, these potentially dangerous effects should be recognized and mitigated before the drugs are released to the public. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires the completion of clinical trials on new drugs to keep individuals from falling victim to dangerous side effects. However, some pharmaceutical companies have failed to provide the public with the truth about the drugs they manufacture. Defective drugs can cause emotional, physical, and/or psychological injury.

Common Types of Drugs Found to Be Defective

If a drug’s side effects are not properly conveyed to the public, the drug is considered defective. The following are common medications whose negative side effects have deemed them defective on many occasions, resulting in court proceedings for the injured parties:

1. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) Antidepressants: SSRIs can be helpful for those with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. While these medications can be effective, they can also have extremely dangerous side effects, such as a risk of bleeding, hyponatremia (a drop in sodium levels), and withdrawal symptoms if someone stops taking the medication.

2. Accutane and Other Acne Medicines: Accutane has some of the most serious side effects in comparison with other acne medications. Dry skin and chapped lips are common side effects of all acne medications; however, Accutane can also cause serious birth defects and suicidal thoughts and tendencies. This medication has resulted in many injuries and lawsuits.

3. Antibiotics: These are some of the most common medications used to treat infections. There are a few rare side effects that can make antibiotics worse than the infection they are treating. Anaphylaxis is an extreme allergic reaction resulting in a rapid heartbeat, hives, swelling, and seizures. This can be fatal without immediate medical attention. Kidney failure is also a possible side effect. Kidneys remove toxins from the body, but antibiotics can damage the kidneys by overburdening them.

4. Birth Control: Many women opt to use birth control for more than just preventing pregnancy, but use of these drugs can also lead to larger issues in the future. Serious side effects include blurred vision, severe stomach pain and headaches, chest pain, heart attacks, blood clots, and strokes. 

Contact an Arlington Heights Defective Drugs Lawyer 

Prescription drugs are meant to help patients, but this is not always the end result. Unfortunately, doctors may fail to disclose all prescription information, including severe side effects. This can cause people serious and sometimes fatal injuries. At Newland & Newland, LLP, we have the knowledge and experience to help you hold negligent drug makers and prescribers accountable. If you have experienced adverse effects from a drug that you have been prescribed, contact our Chicago personal injury attorney at 847-797-8000 for a free phone consultation.

Sources:

https://www.drugwatch.com/ssri/

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-6661/accutane-oral/details/list-sideeffects

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322850.php

https://www.drugs.com/article/birthcontrolpill-risks-benefits.html