- Viagra: drug for erectile dysfunction has caused 522 deaths as well as increased risk of heart attack, heart rhythm abnormalities, congestive heart failure, strokes, sudden low blood pressure and fainting.
- Accutane: an acne drug that causes suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, suicides, severe birth defects, and miscarriage. It has also caused fatal pancreatitis and hepatitis.
- Calcium channel blockers: blood pressure medication increases risk of stroke and heart attack
- Celebrex: arthritis drug may lead to severe bleeding episodes
- Depakote, Depacon, and Depakene - drug used for epilepsy, manic episodes in manic depression and as a migraine preventative.
- Halcion: sleeping pill is highly addictive and commonly causes insomnia if used for more than 10 days
- Hismanal: nondrowsy antihistamine causes abnormal heart rhythms, heart attack, death.
- Immune Globulin Intravenous (IGIV): may cause severe kidney damage or kidney failure
- Lamictal: an antiepileptic drug linked to a potentially fatal rash.
- Lamisil: drug used for fingernail and/or toenail fungus may result in liver failure, some of these cases leading to death or liver transplant.
- Lovanox (low molecular weight heparin): - blood thinner can cause long term and/or permanent paralysis
- Mellaril: drug used for schizophrenia has been associated with heart rhythm abnormalities and sudden death.
- Premarin: menopause medication increases risk of blood clots, stroke, gallbladder disease and has many other severe side effects.
- Prempro (conjugated estrogens/ medroxyprogesterone tablets) and Premphase (conjugated estrogens/ medroxyprogesterone tablets) used to treat menopausal symptoms and as a preventative for osteoporosis. May cause many serious side effects.
- Propulsid: a drug used for GERD and gastroparesis (delayed emptying of the stomach usually found in diabetics), caused severe heart rhythm abnormalities. It is still available but its use is restricted.
- Ritodrine: anti-miscarriage drug ineffective and dangerous
- Serentil: drug used for schizophrenia may cause serious heart rhythm abnormalities and sudden death.
- Tasmar (tolcapone): a drug used for Parkinson's disease can cause acute liver failure.
- Topamax: anti-epilepsy drug may cause serious eye damage and/or blindness
- Trovan: an antibiotic that can lead to liver dysfunction &/or liver failure. Its use is restricted.
- Zyvox: an antibiotic which can cause the cessation of the body's ability to make blood (myelosuppression) - a life-threatening condition.
- Duract, pain reliever: withdrawn June 1998 Linked to 4 deaths and 8 liver transplants.
- Fenfluramine and Dexfenfluramine (Fen-Phen), appetite Suppressants: withdrawn September 1997 when studies found heart valve abnormalities occurred in 31% of patients tested.
- Phenylpropanolamine: ingredient used in many cough and cold medications and over the counter weight loss medications increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke.
- Posicor, blood pressure-lowering medication, banned June 1998. Risks include life-threatening interactions with at least 26 other medications.
- Seldane, antihistamine, withdrawn March 1998. It caused rare but serious heart problems when taken with other drugs, mainly the macrolide class of antibiotics (such as erythromycin).
- Rezulin: drug for diabetes caused severe liver damage and death.
- Midazolam: within this medication, a dangerous drug precipitation with saccharin may cause serious adverse effects and/or death.
Matthews & Fullmer Law Firm remains dedicated to fighting for individuals and families who have been injured and have suffered as a result of dangerous medications. If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of using a potentially defective drug, please contact us today.
For additional information on potentially hazardous medications, please visit the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.