Pharmaceutical companies are constantly coming out with new drugs to treat various conditions affecting American consumers. However, it is nearly impossible to safeguard against the adverse health effects these drugs can cause because they haven’t been adequately tested for use. If a drug poses serious risks to consumers, and the public wasn’t warned about its dangers, the manufacturer of the drug can be held accountable for product liability. Gacovino, Lake and Associates has provided current information regarding various defective drugs that have been on the market. If you or a loved one has been harmed as a result of a dangerous medication, contact our defective drug attorneys. Our lawyers in New York have extensive experience in pharmaceutical litigation and may be able to help you seek compensation for your suffering.
Commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes until it was recalled by the FDA in March 2000, Rezulin® has been linked to serious liver damage in patients who took the drug to stabilize their insulin and blood sugar levels. According to some experts, the drug should never have been made available to begin with, as it had a questionable record of safety. However, it remained on the market until two viable diabetes drug alternatives were approved. If you or a loved one has been affected by Rezulin®, our defective drug attorneys in New York can help.
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Prempro™ is a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) drug intended to alleviate the symptoms of menopause. The drug was tested extensively on thousands of women who participated in an eight-year study of its effectiveness until July 2002, when the FDA pulled the plug midway through the study’s fifth year. Experts now say that Prempro™ raised the risk of stroke by 41 percent, heart attack by 29 percent, and breast cancer by 26 percent in participants and that its side effects far outweigh its benefits. If you were a member of the study, you may be at risk. Contact our defective drug lawyers at Gacovino, Lake and Associates to learn more.
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The first patch approved for birth control, Ortho Evra®, has been linked to a blood clot death. In addition to the risk of blood clots, the patch also carries an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. In fact, a woman claiming that Ortho Evra® caused her to suffer a stroke that resulted in brain injury recently filed a defective drug lawsuit. The lawsuit also claims that the patch causes a higher incidence of blood clots than the leading birth control pill. Gacovino, Lake and Associates is ready to assist you with your defective drug lawsuit. Contact our defective drug lawyers in New York for assistance with your case.
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The FDA has recently ordered a black box warning that must be included on labels for all antidepressants marketed in the United States . The black box warning alerts physicians and consumers to the increased risk of suicidal tendencies in children and teens using this type of medication. The FDA action comes after 24 clinical trials found an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in pediatric patients. After public hearings held in September 2004, federal advisors recommended adding the black box warning to all antidepressants. If your loved one has suffered from this or other side effects while taking antidepressants, please contact us about your defective drug case immediately. Our defective drug attorneys in New York can help you determine if you have a viable lawsuit.
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The popular anti-psychotic drug known as Zyprexa® has been linked to an increased risk of hyperglycemia and diabetes. In a letter published by the Journal of the American Medical Association in November 2001, an FDA medical officer and a Duke University psychiatrist warned that the FDA's MedWatch data indicated patients taking Zyprexa® were 10 times more likely to develop diabetes than those not taking the drug. Despite these warnings, the FDA has done little to warn the public or physicians of the risk.
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In February 2004, Janssen Pharmaceutica recalled many of its Duragesic® pain patch due to possible leakage that could lead to overdose and wrongful death. In addition, the FDA recently warned Janssen about misleading information distributed to medical providers. The promotional material distributed by Janssen, a unit of Johnson & Johnson, makes false claims about the drug's safety and effectiveness, suggesting that it is less abused than other pain relievers such as Vicodin and OxyContin®. The FDA says that the promotional material may lead to unsafe use of the drug and increase the risk of serious side effects including heart attack. If you believe you have suffered injuries from using the Duragesic® pain patch, our defective drug attorneys can review your claim and determine whether you have a viable claim.
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Originally approved for use as an anti-seizure treatment in epileptic patients, Neurontin® was subsequently promoted for off-label uses, including treatment for mental illness and migraines. As a result, many patients may have suffered injuries from the improper prescription of Neurontin®. Pfizer, the maker of the drug, recently pleaded guilty to criminal fraud in the marketing of the drug and has agreed to pay $430 million. However, doctors who participated in the promotion of the drug have not been charged. If your loved one has suffered injuries as a result of Neurontin® use, our defective drug lawyers in New York can help. Our personal injury attorneys will evaluate your case and help you decide if you should move forward with legal action.
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Several popular arthritis drugs have been shown to dramatically increase patients' risk of developing severe cardiovascular illnesses. Of specific concern are COX-2 inhibitors, which were initially touted as superior to other NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) used to treat arthritis because they do not block COX-1, a stomach-protecting enzyme. As it turns out, Bextra®, Celebrex®, Vioxx®, and other COX-2 inhibitors not only cause the same sort of stomach problems found in other arthritis drugs, they have repeatedly shown to contribute to serious cardiovascular complications in long-term users. On September 30th, 2004, Vioxx® was voluntarily recalled. Celebrex®, and Bextra® are currently under close scrutiny as their safety is questioned. Our defective drug attorneys in New York can help you determine if you have a viable lawsuit.
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The strongest acne medication on the market today, Accutane® has recently come under fire for its alleged link to suicide, depression, psychosis; if taken by a woman who is pregnant, it can also cause a birth injury such as mental retardation or physical deformity. In response to these possible side effects of the drug, the FDA has revised its warning labels and required that users complete a consent form (that explains the risks) before they are given a prescription. However, these new labels and consent forms do not excuse the makers of Accutane® from responsibility for these serious ailments. If you or a loved one has been harmed by Accutane®, please contact our defective drug lawyers in New York at Gacovino, Lake and Associates, Attorneys at Law, today.
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A common diet pill additive, the herbal supplement Ephedra has been linked to a myriad of health problems, including hepatitis, strokes, seizures, and heart attacks. The problem lies in that Ephedra was never approved by the FDA because it is an herb rather than a drug, so it was not adequately tested before being put on the market. The U.S. Government has taken considerable strides to remove this product from the shelves, but for some, those measures come too late. Our personal injury lawyers can help those that have suffered injuries resulting from Ephedra use.
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If you or a loved on has been injured as a result of a dangerous medication, seek the assistance of our defective drug lawyers. Our attorneys in New York can review your personal injury claim and provide you with qualified legal guidance.
Contact our dangerous drug lawyers in New York for an evaluation of your case.
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