Prescription drugs and other medical advances have resulted in a steady increase in life expectancy over the years. However, prescription drugs have also wreaked havoc, as the abuse of painkillers continues to grow and defective or incorrectly prescribed medications cause potentially life-threatening injuries in patients. Across the country, thousands of…
Lawsuits against manufacturers of the drug Invokana have been increasing rapidly as reports of serious injuries rise. Potentially life threatening conditions, such as kidney failure and high levels of blood acid are linked to the drug. Invokana, the first in a new class of drugs for diabetes treatment, quickly became…
Lipitor is a popular drug for reducing high cholesterol in men and women. In fact, Lipitor is so popular that in 2011, it was the top selling drug in the country with over $7 billion in sales that year. High cholesterol can lead to other serious health complications, such as…
In the wake of almost countless lawsuits against prescription drug manufacturers, physician groups are advocating a ban on direct-to-consumer advertising. This aggressive form of mass marketing encourages patients to request certain prescription drugs, medical devices, and treatments that they may not otherwise seek out. The American Medical Association (AMA) is…
Invokana is the first of a new class of diabetes drugs known as sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2). Shortly after its release in March of 2013, patients began reporting adverse side effects, including nausea and vomiting. A Georgia woman named Paula Brazil recently filed a lawsuit against Invokana’s manufacturer, Johnson…
In most cases, patients are required by their insurance companies to take cheaper, generic versions of prescription drugs if and when they are available. But an I-Team investigative report by CBS discovered there is an unsafe drawback to these medicines that both doctors and pharmacists don’t want patients to know…
For patients with atrial fibrillation, the release of a new type of anticoagulant drug known as a thrombin inhibitor was welcome news. Atrial fibrillation is a condition characterized by an irregular heartbeat that can result in poor blood flow to the body. For a long time, treatment options were limited.…
Nearly 3 million Americans have the hepatitis C virus, which can lead to liver failure and cancer if left untreated. Many of those affected have no choice but to take some form of medication to treat their liver damage. In the past, hepatitis C treatments have required injections and commonly…
Inferior vena cava filters, commonly called IVC filters, are used by vascular surgeons to prevent blood clots in the veins from entering the heart or lungs. Patients diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolus, trauma victims, and patients unable to take blood thinner medications are among the candidates for…
Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic used to treat common types of bacterial infections, including urinary tract and ear infections. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1987, Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) is in a class of synthetic antibacterial drugs called fluoroquinolones, and has become one of the most commonly prescribed…