Antibiotic Zithromax can Lead to Serious, Potentially Fatal Skin Reaction
Zithromax (azithromycin) is a popular antibiotic manufactured by Pfizer. It is commonly referred to … [Continue Reading]
Study: Glucosamine Does Not Improve Knee Pain, Deterioration
A new study that examined a daily glucosamine drink revealed that the supplement did not stop knee … [Continue Reading]
Canadian Research Group Recommends Genetic Testing for Susceptibility to Carbamazepine-induced Skin Reactions
The Canadian Pharmacogenomics Network for Drug Safety (CPNDS) has recommended genetic testing for … [Continue Reading]
Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits Against Boston Scientific on the Rise
Transvaginal mesh lawsuits are a looming issue for Boston Scientific. The company gave an update … [Continue Reading]
Jury Orders J&J Unit to Pay $3 Million in Topamax Case
On Friday, a Philadelphia jury returned a $3 million verdict against Johnson & Johnson unit … [Continue Reading]
Antibiotic Zithromax can Lead to Serious, Potentially Fatal Skin Reaction
March 12, 2014 By administrator
Zithromax (azithromycin) is a popular antibiotic manufactured by Pfizer. It is commonly referred to Z-Pak or Zmax if it is a single dose. This commonly used drug can cause Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), a serious and sometimes fatal skin reaction. SJS is caused by an allergic reaction to medication, and can occur in any patient. Patients [...]
Study: Glucosamine Does Not Improve Knee Pain, Deterioration
March 12, 2014 By Cynthia A. Diaz-Shephard
A new study that examined a daily glucosamine drink revealed that the supplement did not stop knee cartilage deterioration, reduce bone bruises, or help ease knee pain. The short-term study reviewed the effects of glucosamine hydrochloride on 201 adult participants. The study appears in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatology.
Canadian Research Group Recommends Genetic Testing for Susceptibility to Carbamazepine-induced Skin Reactions
March 11, 2014 By F.A. Kelley
The Canadian Pharmacogenomics Network for Drug Safety (CPNDS) has recommended genetic testing for alleles (gene variants) that affect histocompatibility for patients who are prescribed the drug carbamazepine. The presence of these alleles is associated with the risk of developing Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a serious, sometimes fatal, skin reaction in those taking carbamazepine. Carbamazepine, an anticonvulsant available [...]
Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits Against Boston Scientific on the Rise
March 11, 2014 By administrator
Transvaginal mesh lawsuits are a looming issue for Boston Scientific. The company gave an update about its legal issues in their most recent 10-k report, stating that there is an ever-increasing interest in lawsuits over transvaginal mesh devices. In the United States, there were at least 18,000 lawsuits, including 8 reported class actions, as of [...]
Jury Orders J&J Unit to Pay $3 Million in Topamax Case
March 11, 2014 By administrator
On Friday, a Philadelphia jury returned a $3 million verdict against Johnson & Johnson unit Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in a Topamax lawsuit alleging that the company failed to warn about the side effects of using the epilepsy drug during pregnancy. This is the third Philadelphia Topamax lawsuit to go to trial, and the third to [...]
Pfizer Recalls Lots of Antidepressant Effexor After Drug Mixup
March 10, 2014 By F.A. Kelley
Pfizer Inc. has recalled two lots of the antidepressant drug Effexor XR (venlafaxine HCl) because they may accidentally contain capsules of the drug Tikosyn (dofetilide), used to treat heart rhythm disorders. The recall includes one lot of 30-count Effexor XR (venlafaxine HCl) 150 mg extended-release capsules, one lot of 90-count Effexor XR (venlafaxine HCl) 150 [...]
Federal Regulators Dismissed Auto Ignition Defect Linked to 13 Deaths
March 10, 2014 By F.A. Kelley
Although federal safety regulators received more than 260 complaints over the last 11 years about General Motors vehicles that suddenly turned off while being driven, they declined to investigate the ignition switch problem, which has now been linked to 13 deaths and has resulted in the recall of more than 1.6 million GM cars. A [...]
CDC Study Points out Risks of Overusing Antibiotics
March 8, 2014 By administrator
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), doctors are prescribing three time more antibiotics than in other institutions. This gap in prescribing suggests that oftentimes, antibiotics are being overused and could be reduced. In a study published online in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the CDC found that antibiotic prescribing can be [...]
State Investigation Finds Minnesota Nursing Home Responsible for Resident’s Death
March 8, 2014 By administrator
St. Benedict’s Senior Community, a nursing home in St. Cloud, Minnesota, is responsible for the death of a resident because three nurses failed to provide emergency medical care after he became unresponsive. The Minnesota Department of Health says that the neglect happened even though on admission the resident had specifically instructed staff to resuscitate in the event of [...]
First Bellwether Trial Scheduled Over St. Jude Riata Injury Lawsuits
March 7, 2014 By Cynthia A. Diaz-Shephard
The first St. Jude Riata bellwether trial has been scheduled for February 3, 2015, court documents indicate, and involve cases in which patients allege that the Riata defibrillator leads are defective. According to a February 24, 2014 Joint Status Conference report, 2014, the St. Jude Riata defibrillator leads are allegedly defective because of the device’s [...]
