Are Oral Fosamax Tablets The Lesser Evil?
An article was published in Tribune-Star narrating the story of a woman who developed Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ), a condition wherein parts of the jaw bones die due to lack of blood flow, after taking intravenous Fosamax twice. The IV Fosamax was administered to her within two years. Fortunately, her condition was remedied but only after several of her teeth were extracted. This shows that intravenous Fosamax has a greater and quicker side effect that Fosamax in tablet form. A Fosamax lawsuit is seriously being considered by numerous users of the drug as a result of being injured by Fosamax.
Novartis, the manufacturer of the drug injected in the woman, dennied any relationship linking biphosphonate to ONJ, claiming, “Based on best available scientific evidence, a causal relationship between osteonecrosis of the jaw and bisphosphonate therapy, or any individual therapy factor, has not been established.”
Usually, Fosamax is given by doctors in 5-70mg tablet form. Because tablets are easier to take than other forms of medication, this is usually the drug administration of choice by many patients. But what most people do not realize is that Fosamax’s active ingredient, alendronate sodium, is not easily absorbed by the body. In fact, about 99% of the drug is excreted through natural means and 0.6-0.7% of it is really absorbed. That is why doctors resort to IV to administer Fosamax in extreme cases where patients suffer from degenerative bone problems.
This would lead us to think that Fosamax, if administered intravenously, have a far-reaching effect than oral Fosamax tablets. Medical experts noticed that most cases of Fosamax-related ONJ was caused by taking Intravenous Fosamax. This means that, as opposed to using oral Fosamax, you are more likely to experience ONJ when you have been injected by Fosamax. Not to mention that due to the slow absorption rate of oral Fosamax, doctors tend to over-prescribe the drug. If you believe you have been affected by the drug, you should discuss your legal options with a highly competent product liability lawyer. You could recover a fair amount in compensation from Merck. Updates on the current case are available when you check out the Fosamax fracture lawsuit information website.
Accutane Lawsuits Resulting from Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome
The former Hoffman-La Roche anti-acne medication, Accutane, has been in the news recently. Hundreds of patients have stepped forward with Accutane lawsuits due to the harmful side effects they have suffered from taking this drug. While Hoffman-La Roche initially attempted to minimize the risk of some of the side effects from taking Accutane, it has become apparently clear that there is a direct correlation between intake of this drug and the development of Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome. IBS is inclusive of several conditions causing possible inflammation and ulceration within the intestinal tract. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are two most common conditions associated with IBS and have directly resulted in numerous Accutane lawsuits.
While the number of complaints due to IBS related symptoms from Accutane increases, the relationship between IBS and intake of this drug becomes more obvious. A recent study published in the April 2010 edition of the American Journal of Gastroenterology corroborates this direct relationship. The study concludes that people who are chronically exposed to isoretinoin, the active component of Accutane, are four times more at risk of developing forms of IBS such as ulcerative colitis.
An Alabama man, known to have taken Accutane, underwent surgical intervention to have his colon removed due to severe IBS and was then awarded a substantial sum by a New Jersey jury last February.Although he had won a $2.6 million case in 2007, the case was overturned on appeal then retried. Subsequently, he was able to make his case again and was awarded by the jury a larger sum of $25.16 million.
Consumer protection laws are put in place to preserve the safety of the public and state that they may be properly compensated by holding liable those companies who irresponsibly market and distribute dangerous products. If a case is successfully tried, patients may be reimbursed for any medical expenses and for lost wages that have accumulated as a result of lost work. Ultimately, the jury will decide whether to give a monetary designation for the physical distress the patient has suffered and thus give proper compensation for the pain and suffering caused by Accutane and its harmful side effects.
It is evident by the increasing number of cases that Accutane is a dangerous drug due to its direct causal relationship with IBS. If you or a loved one have taken the anti-acne medication Accutane and developed IBS or IBS related symptoms , you are entitled to compensation though an Accutane lawsuit. Should you wish to learn more about the ongoing litigation, you may visit the Accutane lawsuit settlement website.
FDA and ADA’s Reaction To The Dangers of Poligrip
Poligrip was approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a safe denture cream to use about 30 years ago. It was then classified as a class I medical device by the FDA. This means that Poligrip is not likely to cause any kind of harm. This product’s safety makes us question the Poligrip lawsuits being filed by a lot of people as these all rooted from the dangers the product can bring. Furthermore, the product’s side effects were also failingly warned by its manufacturer.
An active ingredient of Poligrip called zinc is said to be the cause of all these complications. One must remember that zinc is actually good for the body. Yet, copper depletion can happen in the body because of it. It happens when zinc is consumed in heavy amounts as proven by researchers studying this topic for decades. Now, people who have suffered from the side effects of Poligrip will be taken care by these lawsuits through a monetary compensation that will be given. Whatever the loss the person had, it will never be totally replaced by the money that will come from the compensation. However, the important thing here is that your rights will be valued. For decades, researchers have known that excessive zinc intake can deplete the body of copper, potentially resulting in nerve damage. Despite this, the FDA never updated denture cream’s risk profile in the 1990’s, when zinc was added to Fixodent and Poligrip.
It is really very surprising as how the FDA and the American Dental Association are not making any moves despite the numerous studies proving how dangerous zinc is. Moreover, a lot of studies has already proved that nerve damage can result from heavy denture cream use.
It is very important to file a lawsuit if you have been affected by Poligrip no matter how minimal FDA and ADA’s concern is. Discuss your situation and know your rights. Talk to your lawyer today.
Tragedy Behind the DePuy Hip Recall
93,000 recipients have been affected with the DePuy Hip Recall and you might be concerned if you are one of them – you should be.
Medical devices to replace bones and joints, it is what DePuy well renowned for. The ASR™ XL Acetabular Hip System and DePuy ASR™ Hip Resurfacing System are the two types the recall is concerned for.Unfortunately, 12% of recipients with the following types has been known to have revision surgery, years after implementation. Voluntary recall was called for because of the frustrating results and with the company’s aim to put the health and safety of patients being a top priority.
Learn more about the MDL here.
This concerns you if you had ASR™ XL Acetabular Hip System or DePuy ASR™ Hip Resurfacing System. What was approved for use outside U.S. was the DePuy ASR™ Hip Resurfacing System, however, the ASR™ XL Acetabular System was approved worldwide. Implants given during surgeries after July 2003 are subject to recall. To ensure that you know if you received the type that has been affected by the recall, it is best to contact your surgeon or the hospital where the surgery was made.The signs and symptoms start to occur during the first five years after the replacement had been made. Continued amount of walking can lead to wearing out of the product a long time causing swelling and pain. Underlying problems would include loosening, fracture or dislocation of the implant.
A series of testing and evaluation should be made with such a high health risk as this to ensure health and safety. These hip implants may require surgery or additional monitoring to ensure that is working properly.There is good news as well to those patients who are not experiencing any problems at all. Not all hip implants will be removed. Indication of further damage caused by the implant I where treatment will depend. To know what appropriate medical actions to take, coordinate with your surgeon. It is best to continue annual follow up to ensure that the implant is working properly, even during absence of any problems.
The company also intends to cover reasonable and customary costs associated with the depuy recall. A DePuy Hip recall attorney may help you in processing for legal and health claims.
FDA’s Role In The DePuy Hip Replacement Recall
There is a belief that whatever medical product available for the public to use would be safe. The Food and Drug Administration is the branch of our government that would make this belief true. Making the product go through necessary tests will be part of DePuy’s duty. However, there is a need to remind people that these tests will be performed by the same company that manufactures the product. Seeing that the product’s advantages exceed its limits is how the FDA will do its job.
Sometimes, a product can reach the public without going through necessary trials . This is made possible by the premarket notification also known as 510(k) because it makes the quality of the current manufacturer’s product to be the same as its previous products that has been FDA approved. Acquiring premarket notification will make a manufacturer gain a lot. The manufacturer will only have to wait six months and spend less. This happens to be quite beneficial to the manufacturer but works for the public in an opposite way. The product’s failure can be a reason for this. Making the product go through necessary tests will be the only way to assure quality.
A premarket notification clearance has made to DePuy’s ASR XL Acetabular System and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System to be available in the market which happens to be defective products. The previous products DePuy has created were compared to these products as having the same quality. This can put the public in danger if the product happens to be defective.
Suffering should not have happened on the individuals affected by the recall. These suffering have made these individuals to file a DePuy hip replacement lawsuit. As an individual suffering from this situation, you need to see a lawyer to discuss your case. We can make FDA arranged their policies.
