Pharmaceutical Litigation And Personal Injury Law Blog

Lamotrigine is recalled out of cross-contamination concerns

On behalf of Reich & Binstock posted in Defective Drugs on Friday, January 17, 2020.

A single lot of Lamotrigine, a prescription medication that doctors prescribe to treat bipolar disorder and epilepsy, was recalled by its manufacturer on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s urging on Jan. 10. The federal agency ordered the recall after a blood pressure and heart medication was found to have been cross-contaminated with the Lamotrigine tablets.

The cross-contamination of the Lamotrigine 100 milligram (mg) tablets was discovered by a consumer. They noted that the medicine, which also is sold to consumers as Lamictal, was listed as containing Enalapril Maleate on its label. That's the heart medication that's not supposed to be in the Lamotrigine.

What dangers are associated with a trucker having sleep apnea?

On behalf of Reich & Binstock posted in Truck Accidents on Friday, January 3, 2020.

Data published recently by the trucking trade publication FreightWaves captures how only four percent of all Americans suffer from sleep apnea (SA). It shows how an alarming 35% of truckers suffer from the same condition though. This sleep disorder affects the quality of an individual's rest and makes them vulnerable to develop heart disease and other related conditions. It's dangerous enough out on the road without motorists being fatigued or unhealthy. This is why the fact that at least one-third of truckers are unwell is so alarming.

There are many different types of SA. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common type among truckers. It causes an individual's mouth palate and throat muscles to relax and subsequently collapse. This causes a blockage of an individual's airway.

Federal officials say that Metformin may contain a carcinogen

On behalf of Reich & Binstock posted in Defective Drugs on Friday, December 20, 2019.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed earlier this month that they are looking into reports that researchers in other countries have found trace amounts of the carcinogen N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in the prescription drug Metformin. The medication is commonly prescribed to patients who have previously been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. It helps them regulate their blood sugar.

NDMA is a contaminate that is often found in grilled or cured meats, dairy products, water and vegetables. While scientists don't believe that the carcinogen poses any adverse health risk if individuals are exposed to it in small doses, they believe that it is dangerous if a person ingests any amount of the substance above the daily limit for an extended period.

What's the deadline for filing a TDF lawsuit?

On behalf of Reich & Binstock posted in pharmaceutical injury on Thursday, December 5, 2019.

TDF, or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, is a drug designed to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Marketed by Gilead under the brand name Truvada (along with others), TDF drugs were seen as a first-line treatment for HIV.

The problem is that TDF drugs weren't nearly as safe as Gilead led doctors and patients to believe. Even though Gilead knew that TDF drugs caused osteoporosis, fractures, kidney damage, renal failure and even death, the company continued to promote the drugs to protect its profits -- while simultaneously keeping a much safer treatment, known as TAF drugs, off the market.

HIV drug Truvada manufacturer allegedly traded hope for greed

On behalf of Reich & Binstock on Tuesday, November 26, 2019.

If you received a diagnosis of HIV, you probably began immediately to research ways to remain healthy and active for as long as possible. Fortunately, in the past several decades, medical advances have produced several options for those who are HIV-positive and those who are at risk of contracting the virus. One of those is the medication Truvada.

Truvada has been the go-to drug for preventing HIV cells from multiplying and becoming full-blown AIDS. Perhaps you have taken it for this purpose or as a pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP drug. While you may have thought Truvada was providing hope for a longer, healthier life, instead, you may now be dealing with serious side effects that Gilead, the drug manufacturer, allegedly hid from you and others dealing with the HIV virus.

When a drug company puts profits ahead of HIV patients

On behalf of Reich & Binstock posted in Defective Drugs on Thursday, November 21, 2019.

Patients with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have come a long way since the early days after their disease was discovered. There are whole new classes of drugs available that can help them remain well and live full lives.

Unfortunately, many of those patients could have been leading even better lives if they'd had access to the safer, more effective drug that was purposefully withheld from the market in the name of profits.

What did Gilead know about the side effects of TDF HIV drugs?

On behalf of Reich & Binstock posted in pharmaceutical injury on Friday, November 8, 2019.

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarite (TDF) drugs designed to treat the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are marketed under a variety of names, including Truvada, Atripla, Viread. They've been a longstanding component of successful HIV treatment for many years for many people afflicted with this potentially deadly disease.

It turns out, however, that the cure came with its own dangers -- and the drug manufacturer, Gilead, knew exactly what those dangers were and could have offered patients a safer alternative that was less toxic.

Zantac and ranitidine products recalled for being carcinogenic

On behalf of Reich & Binstock posted in Defective Drugs on Friday, October 25, 2019.

Zantac and various other generic ranitidine products were recalled from the market earlier this week after it was discovered that the over-the-counter drug contained cancer-causing ingredients.

The ranitidine pills that were recalled include those distributed by Sanofi, the manufacturer of Zantac. Generic ones distributed by Dr. Reddy's Laboratories were most affected by the call though. They manufacture the generic version of the over-the-counter drug sold at retailers including Target, Walmart, CVS, Sam's Club and Walgreens.

How common are deadly truck crashes?

On behalf of Reich & Binstock posted in Truck Accidents on Friday, October 11, 2019.

Data compiled by the U.S. Department of Transportation and its affiliated agencies shows that truckers, on average, have viewer accidents per 100 million miles driven by any type of motorist. Even still, the number of deaths that result from these truck-involved crashes is significantly higher than the fatalities that result from any other type of motor vehicle accident.

Statistics published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in 2010 showed that U.S. truckers traveled an estimated 286,585 miles. Of all the truck crashes that occurred that year, 3,413 people were killed. An overwhelming 72% of those who died were motorists driving passenger cars. Another 14% of the fatalities were the truckers themselves. At least 13% of them were pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists.

What are some signs that your medical device is failing you?

On behalf of Reich & Binstock posted in Defective Medical Devices on Friday, September 27, 2019.

Millions of Americans have been fitted with medical devices over the past few decades, including heart defibrillators, artificial joints and surgical mesh. Sadly many of these life-saving products have garnered less attention for how they can save a patient's life and more attention for how they make take it. You should remain vigilant for signs that you have a defective medical implant yourself.

If you're considering a surgical implant, make certain that you discuss all available options for your condition. Its a far safer course of action to take a conservative approach to treatment.