ALERT:

DrugSettlement.com, LLC, http://drugsettlement.com, reports that one of its member firms, Nix & McIntyre, LLP, link, has been ordered by Judge Claire V. Eagan of the United States District Court for the Norther District of Oklahoma, to commence the first federal Paxil Birth Defect trial on January 20, 2009. link

DrugSettlement.com is your resource for breaking news in the pharmaceutical and medical device liability arena, such as:

Paxil (Paroxetine or paroxetine hydrochloride)
Side Effects for Paxil babies include, but are not limited to the following:

• - Heart Birth Defects (Atrial or Ventricular Septal Defects, Murmurs, etc)
• - Lung Birth Defects (Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension)
• - Craniosynostosis (resulting in an abnormally shaped head)
• - Abdominal Birth Defects (Omphalocele)
• - Cranial Birth Defects (Craniosynostosis)

The FDA issued an alert in July 2006 warning about the increased risk of Neonatal Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN) by mothers taking SSRI antidepressants such as Celexa (citalopram), Fluvoxamine, Lexapro (escitalopram), Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), Symbyax (olanzapine and fluoxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline). Studies have shown that babies born to mothers who took Paxil were 6 times as likely to develop Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN), than babies born to mothers who did not take Paxil during pregnancy.

Avandia
The FDA required the manufacturer to change the label to warn patients of possibly fatal consequences. Heart Attacks, liver, lung or bone damage The FDA is aware of a potential safety issue related to Avandia (as seen on TV), a drug approved to treat type 2 diabetes. Safety data from controlled clinical trials have shown that there is a potentially significant increase in the risk of heart attack and heart-related deaths in patients taking Avandia. This new warning was based on the result of a controlled clinical trial in patients with existing congestive heart failure. And many. Many more drugs and devices.

Fentanyl Patch, otherwise known as the “Duragesic Patch”
A popular pain killer marketed as the Duragesic Patch (fentanyl)by by PriCara and generically by Sandoz Inc., is now subject to a recall order by the FDA. This is pain patch is used by millions of consumers. The recall includes all 25-microgram-per-hour patches with expiration dates on or before December 2009. Acoording to sources the recall is due to a possible manufacturing defect involving the delivery of the prescription medication. The fentanyl patch defect is described as a cut in the in the lining of the internal reservoir where the drug is stored in gel form. If the fentanyl gel leaks into the drug's packaging, it could cause a patient or caregiver to come into direct contact with this powerful "opioid" drug. This could result in difficulty breathing and a potentially fatal overdose.

This is the second warning in the last two years issued by the FDA regarding the safety of fentanyl or Duragesic patches.

Ortho Evra birth control patch, otherwise known as “The Patch”
Lawsuits are being filed by young women who were using the Ortho Evra birth control patch and suffered strokes, heart attacks, deaths, blood clots, pulmonary embolism, and other serious injuries. Recent reports have indicated that the risk of developing blood clots, pulmonary thromboembolism, heart attack and stroke may be significantly higher with the Ortho Evra patch than with oral contraceptive use. Pulmonary thromboembolism is a sudden blockage in a lung artery, usually due to a blood clot that traveled to the lung from the leg, but clots can also form in the pelvic vein. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, anxiety, chest pain, fainting and convulsions.

Just click on any one of the defective drugs or medical devices listed on the left side of this page for general information on that case. At the bottom of the page is a link to breaking news, key litigation documents and links to useful relevant sites of interest specific to that case.

If you believe that you or a loved one might have been injured by one of the drugs or devices listed, or if you have another product or claim you are concerned about and would like to find a qualified attorney to assist you in determining your rights, contact us for a free and confidential evaluation.