Drugs That Can Harm Instead of Heal
Concerned personal injury attorneys work for West Virginia victims of harmful drugs
New offerings from the pharmaceutical industry seem to appear daily in prime-time television commercials. A new drug is depicted as a likable cartoon character waging a heroic battle against some affliction with a two- or three-letter name. Meanwhile, a background narration urges you to “ask your doctor about…” Those who pay close attention to the final seconds of the commercial may notice that the narrator recites a litany of side effects – some deadly – that can accompany the promised cure. Suppose a hospital gives you that drug without your knowledge, or your doctor decides to give you some samples of it received from a pharmaceutical retailer. What if some of those unpleasant side effects that “can” happen actually did happen – to you?
Paulson & Nace, PLLC is a family-owned and managed law firm that has extensive experience representing patients whose conditions were worsened by the drugs that were supposed to improve them. Our family’s practice is dedicated to representing patients who have had to cope with major health problems because a physician or hospital prescribed a dangerous drug. Our team of West Virginia defective drug attorneys understands the life-altering consequences prescription drugs can have on patients and their families, and works tirelessly to help those who have been victimized.
Why are there problems with prescription drugs?
Today’s pharmaceuticals are sophisticated combinations of natural and synthetic substances designed to fight physical and psychological disorders by altering the body’s chemistry. All medications have risks, but some medications are riskier than others, and some risks may be unacceptable. For example, some drugs used for treating skin conditions also affect the body’s immune system in the process. Others used to treat depression by altering brain chemistry may cause fetal damage.
Some of the most dangerous prescription drugs on the market include:
- Abilify (aripiprazole). A drug used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, Abilify is advertised primarily as an add-on to antidepressants. While it works with some antidepressants, it appears to have dangerous interactions with others. Sudden unexplained deaths have been reported, but their frequency is unknown.
- Accutane (isotretinoin). Used in the treatment of acne, it can also cause birth defects because of its close resemblance to a naturally occurring substance that controls normal embryonic development.
- Actos (pioglitazone). Used to treat Type 2 diabetes, either alone or in combination with insulin, Actos is ineffective, and possibly harmful, if used to treat Type 1 diabetes. It is also contraindicated in patients with liver disease or heart failure.
- Dilaudid (hydromorphone). This powerful opiate is used as a painkiller, but even small errors in its administration can be fatal because it is eight times more powerful than morphine. It is an addictive narcotic, and cutting back after extended use triggers withdrawal symptoms.
- Fosamax (alendronic acid). Used in the treatment of osteoporosis in men and women, its side effects include ulceration of the esophagus, which may require hospitalization and intensive treatment. It may also cause gastric and duodenal ulcers.
- Pradaxa (dabigatran). Pradaxa is an anticoagulant (“blood thinner”) prescribed as an alternative to warfarin but, unlike warfarin, Pradaxa’s anticoagulant effects have no way of being reversed in the event of major bleeding. Numerous deaths are believed to have occurred because of this.
- Zoloft (sertraline). This antidepressant, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) is prescribed for major depression in adult outpatients. In 2013, it was the most prescribed antidepressant on the U.S. retail market, with over 41 million prescriptions. It is believed to cause fetal defects such as heart problems, spina bifida, and lung, abdominal, and cranial defects. Some studies have linked SSRIs in general to autism, although there is no conclusive evidence at this time. Zoloft is available in generic form, which may bring the quality of its manufacture into question as well.
The preceding is hardly a complete list, but it offers examples of the kinds of cases an experienced West Virginia dangerous drug lawyer from Paulson & Nace is prepared to handle. Our family’s legal expertise is tempered with empathy and understanding. Let us help you and yours in your time of need.
Your attorneys for dangerous drug injuries throughout West Virginia
Paulson & Nace, PLLC, our family-owned and managed law firm, is widely recognized throughout West Virginia for compassionate care and comprehensive legal services to families, and for our aggressive advocacy for medical malpractice victims. When you choose a qualified West Virginia dangerous drug attorney from our practice to represent you, you are choosing a team that values families and family relationships. Please call 304-741-8079 or fill out our contact form to tell us your story in a no-obligation consultation. Our office is located at 3501 Maccorkle Ave SE, Charleston, WV 25304.
We have dedicated our lives to helping medical malpractice victims. Let us help you.