FDA Black Box Warning Issued For Drug's Side Effects
Victims of painful, often debilitating side effects from commonly prescribed drugs often have recompense due to them, according to United Stated consumer and patient law. Recently, the drug company Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a division of the giant chemical and medical product corporation Johnson & Johnson, has begun facing lawsuits related to the commonly prescribed antibiotic Levofloxacin. The drug, distributed under the brand name of Levaquin, has been linked to severe, life-long side effects in many patients. While the drug company went through all the proper legal channels to get their product approved by the FDA, many of the Levaquin lawsuits are based on claims that consumers were not warned about an increased risk of adverse effects. The plaintiffs say that they would not have started taking the prescription had they known that there was a possibility that they would quickly develop painful problems such as: • Dizziness or fainting, or being light-headed
• Sudden pain or swelling near joints, especially in the arms, ankle, or behind the knees
• Tendon rupture or tearing, especially in the ankle and Achilles tendon
• Diarrhea that is watery or bloody
• Confusion, hallucinations, depression, including suicidal thoughts
• Seizures or convulsion
• Easy bruising or bleeding of the skin
• Numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling in your hands or feet
Victims are filing Levaquin lawsuits because they were prescribed the antibiotic to deal with a bodily infection, such as a kidney infection or bronchitis. However, soon after beginning their round of treatment with Levofloxacin (the generic name for the drug), they started showing symptoms of painful injuries, especially in the Achilles tendon, biceps, and hands. Some patients have even required surgery to fix problems associated with ruptured tendons. Since so many patients have had their tendons ruptured, many suits are currently waiting to be heard in a variety of courts. However, the first major case to be heard related to Levaquin lawsuits is not scheduled until August of 2010. Due to the dramatic increase of patients experiencing the painful issues described above, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required the makers of the drug to warn potential buyers of the increased likelihood that they will develop excruciating maladies. Called a black box warning, the new language will clarify to individuals that the antibiotic can potentially cause severe pain and discomfort. The main claim of plaintiffs is that there was not adequate warning or labeling about the high potential for negative issues surrounding the use of Levaquin. If your doctor diagnoses you with any of the side effects listed above, you should immediately seek an attorney. Make sure to find someone working with a Levaquin law firm. Their expertise in drug and patient law will be vital for protecting your rights under the law, and ensuring that you receive any monetary recompense that the drug companies may owe for potential negligence.
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