FDA & Prescription Drugs

• $1.275 Billion "Fen-Phen" Settlement Approved

  M. Brandon Smith | May 30, 2006 1:37 PM | 0 CommentsAtlanta, GA

  Wyeth, the manufacture of the notorious diet drug "Fen-Phen", recently got final judicial approval to set up a legal settlement fund for the remaining consumers who were adversely affected by its use. The drug caused heart valve damage and primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) from users of the drug cocktail fen-phen, also known as Redux and Pondimin. According to WTOPNEWS.COMThe drug...

• Vioxx-New Study Shows Increased Risk Of Heart Attack During First Two Weeks Of Use

  M. Brandon Smith | May 03, 2006 9:25 AM | 0 CommentsAtlanta, GA

  Canadian researchers recently discovered there is an increased risk of heart attack and other heart related problems when using Merck and Co.'s pain reliever Vioxx during the first two weeks. Previously, other studies emphasized the increased risks of heart related problems stemming from Vioxx after taking the drug for 18 months or more. These findings could have a huge impact on the over...

• FDA Updates Saftey Labels On Numerous Drugs

  M. Brandon Smith | April 14, 2006 4:09 PM | 0 CommentsAtlanta, GA

  The FDA recently updated safety labels on numerous drugs including Daypro, Motrin, Aleve, Carbatrol, and Midol among many others. These safety label changes are reflected in the BOXED WARNING, CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS, PRECAUTIONS, or ADVERSE REACTIONS sections. The FDA suggests that any consumer taking one of the listed drugs should be aware of these changes in order to fully protect their...

• Merck Sued Over Fosamax: Class Action Forthcoming?

  M. Brandon Smith | April 13, 2006 9:38 AM | 1 CommentAtlanta, GA

  Everyone knows about the thousands of lawsuits the drug marker Merck is currently facing in regards to its now recalled drug Vioxx that reportedly increased the risk of heart attacks and strokes in it consumers. Now a Tennessee woman, Gwendolyn Wolfe, has filed suit over another Merck drug called Fosamax. Fosamax is a drug designed to combat osteoporosis but has been reported to cause patients'...

• Jury Awards $9 Million In Punitives In Vioxx Trial

  M. Brandon Smith | April 11, 2006 11:05 AM | 0 CommentsAtlanta, GA

  A jury reached a $9 million verdict today regarding the punitive damages phase of the latest Vioxx Trial involving John McDarby and his wife. This verdict comes just days after the same jury awarded John McDarby and his wife $4.5 million in compensatory damages for his related heart attack while using Vioxx. Tuesday's verdict brings the total award to $13.5 million for the couple.According to...

• $4.5 Million Awarded To Former Vioxx User

  M. Brandon Smith | April 06, 2006 9:52 AM | 1 CommentAtlanta, GA

  A new Jersey jury found Vioxx had concealed the dangers of its painkiller Vioxx and awarded one of the two plaintiff's $4.5 million dollars in compensatory damages. A second trial for the sole purpose of determining if punitive damages should be awarded is scheduled to start today. Generally, punitive damages, if awarded, can range anywhere from two to ten times the award given in compensatory...

• Baycol Class Action Settlement Approved

  M. Brandon Smith | March 22, 2006 2:48 PM | 0 CommentsAtlanta, GA

  A state judge in Philadelphia approved a class action settlement against Bayer, the German manufacture of Baycol, that would re-pay unions, employers and various health plans for money spent on the withdrawn drug Baycol. The national class action suit could result in a settlement that exceeds $10 million according to lawyers handling the suit.Accodring to ABCNEWS.com:Stewart Cohen, a lawyer for...

• Dietary Supplement or Illegal Steroid?

  M. Brandon Smith | March 14, 2006 4:42 PM | 0 CommentsAtlanta, GA

  The FDA recently warned several manufactures and distributors to stop selling unapproved drugs that contain steroids promising increased muscle, strength, and weight loss. The FDA expressed concerns that products such as Anabolic Xtreme Superdrol or Methyl-1-P by Legal Gear may cause long-term health problems for the unwary consumer. For more on Illegal Steroids click here..

• Advair and Serevent Get New Black Box Warning

  M. Brandon Smith | March 08, 2006 2:11 PM | 0 CommentsAtlanta, GA

  The FDA has announced that the popular asthma medications Advair and Serevent will now contain a new "black box" warning after discovering the medications may cause an increased risk of asthma-related death. Black box warnings are the most severe warnings the FDA can require of prescription drugs. According to Newsday.comAdvair should be used only by patients when other asthma drugs, such as...

• New Jersey Vioxx Trial Begins Today

  M. Brandon Smith | March 06, 2006 2:23 PM | 0 CommentsAtlanta, GA

  In the latest round of litigation surrounding the controversial drug Vioxx, jurors in New Jersey heard opening statements from both sides today in what could be the most pivotal Vioxx trial yet. Merck, the former producer of Vioxx, has received two defense verdicts involving the pain killer to date but lost a third trial that resulted in a $253 million dollar jury verdict for the widow of a...