dangerous defective drugs

Pharmaceutical companies like Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, and AstraZeneca rake in billions of dollars every year from the drugs they manufacture and sell to consumers. While many of these prescription drugs undoubtedly offer life-saving benefits, they can also cause patients serious harm in the form of adverse or fatal side effects.

At the Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin, PLLC, our El Paso dangerous drugs attorneys fight aggressively to protect the rights of injury victims. If a defective drug caused severe harm, the company that manufactured it could owe you significant compensation. Our team is ready to help you seek fair compensation. Contact us for a free consultation with an experienced dangerous drugs lawyer in El Paso.

What Harm Can Dangerous Drugs Cause?

Every drug is different, so a medicationā€™s potential harm can vary considerably from case to case. Here is a non-exhaustive list of common types of severe and life-changing side effects associated with some dangerous drugs:

  • Birth defects
  • Blood clots
  • Cancer
  • Compulsive behavior
  • Dementia
  • Diabetes
  • Fertility problems
  • Hearing loss
  • Heart attack
  • High blood pressure
  • Infection
  • Kidney and liver damage
  • Memory loss
  • Pancreatitis
  • Paralysis and nerve damage
  • Permanent hair loss
  • Priapism
  • Seizure
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Sleep-related issues
  • Stroke
  • Suicidal thoughts and behavior
  • Vision loss
  • Withdrawal symptoms

Who Is Liable for Injuries Caused by Dangerous Drugs?

The manufacturer of the defective drug is usually the first party we look to in dangerous drug injury cases. Pharmaceutical manufacturers may be liable for the side effects of their products when they:

  • Fail to identify adverse symptoms during clinical trials that would become apparent upon due diligence
  • Attempt to conceal poor results from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  • Exclusively test their drugs on small, uniform groups of patients during trials
  • Fail to include proper drug warnings on product packaging or advertisements

In some cases, other parties may bear some of the responsibility for defective drug injuries. For example, you might be able to pursue a claim against your doctor if they prescribed you a dangerous drug despite knowing the risks or failed to confirm the current medications you are taking. A knowledgeable dangerous drug attorney can help you by identifying all parties who may be liable in your dangerous drug case and pursuing all possible sources of compensation.

What Are the Most Common Types of Dangerous Drugs?

Here are some of the most common types of drugs that were once widely administered but are now subject to lawsuits due to unforeseen health hazards:

  • Acne medications ā€“ Accutane and certain other prescription acne drugs are associated with serious side effects, including Crohnā€™s disease, suicidal thoughts and tendencies, and birth defects.
  • Antibiotic medications ā€“ The FDA has issued warnings about one common and powerful antibiotic called Azithromycin, also known as Zithromax or Z-Pak, which may contribute to fatal heart complications.
  • Antidepressant drugs ā€“ Common antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are associated with side effects like birth defects and suicide.
  • Antipsychotic and seizure drugs ā€“ Some seizure disorder medications reportedly contribute to birth defects in pregnant patients. Certain antipsychotic drugs have also been linked to life-threatening neurological issues.
  • Birth control drugs ā€“ Certain birth control pills, such as Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella, could increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, and death.
  • Cardiovascular drugs ā€“ Some blood thinners, heart medications, and cholesterol drugs can reportedly contribute to fatal health complications, including uncontrollable bleeding, liver failure, and heart attacks.
  • Dialysis treatment drugs ā€“ When some dialysis drugs like GranuFlo and NaturaLyte are not administered correctly, they can have fatal side effects like metabolic alkalosis and heart failure.
  • Osteoporosis drugs ā€“ Certain osteoporosis medications like Fosamax may increase the risk of bone fracture and osteonecrosis, which most often affects the jaw and occurs when the bone itself dies and crumbles to pieces.
  • Type 2 diabetes drugs ā€“ Some medications intended to treat type 2 diabetes, including the drugs Actos and Avandia, have been linked to severe cardiovascular issues like heart attacks and heart failure.