Damages Due to Prescription Drugs

Injuries Caused by Prescription Drugs

Almost half of all Americans take at least one prescription drug. Unfortunately, as more people are prescribed drugs, there are increased reports of injuries caused by these prescriptions. Every year, 4.5 million people report adverse prescription drug reactions. These reactions can range from mild to severe and life threatening.

Some of the most dangerous drugs out today, and the potential health risks posed by these drugs, include:

• Diabetes Drugs: Actos and Avandia are two commonly prescribed drugs for type 2 diabetes. Actos has been linked to bladder cancer, and Avandia has been implicated as a factor in heart attacks.

• Antidepressants: Antidepressant medications such as Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, and Lexapro have long been known to pose risks of suicidal behavior, but recent studies have shown that pregnant women taking Paxil and Lexapro may have an increased risk for birth defects.

• Cholesterol Drugs: Crestor is a drug prescribed to lower bad cholesterol, but studies have shown that doses of 40 mg or higher poses risks of severe, life-threatening muscle damage, as well as kidney failure.

• Blood Thinners: Pradaxa thins the blood and lowers the risk of stroke, but it also shows an increased risk of heart disease and heart attacks. It also poses dangers in the event of accidents; while all blood thinners pose a bleeding risk, there is no known antidote to stop bleeding for people taking Pradaxa.

Most drugs come with the risk of some side effects, but for the drugs listed above – and for a host of others – these risks may end up far outweighing any possible benefits.

For a free legal consultation, call 803-222-2222

Lawsuits Against Pharmaceutical Drug Manufacturers

Over the last decade, pharmaceutical companies have paid out more than $7 million in fines, penalties and as damages in lawsuits to people injured by dangerous drugs. This is just a small drop in the bucket compared to not only what the pharmaceutical companies make, but also compared with the damages these drugs have caused. Though regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, pharmaceutical manufacturers continue to put dangerous drugs on the market, ignoring reports of severe side effects or negative reactions. Prescription drug lawsuits fall under the category of product liability lawsuits, and under the South Carolina Code of Laws, anyone who sells a defective or unreasonably dangerous product is liable for any damages that product causes.

Contact Our Defective Drug Attorney

If you or a loved one has suffered damages as the result of side effects of a prescription drug, contact our experienced South Carolina Defective Drugs and Pharmaceutica Litigation attorney. At Anastopoulo Law Firm, with offices in Charleston and throughout South Carolina, our attorneys are trained and experienced in handling pharmaceutical damages due to defective drugs. Dangerous drugs can cause life-threatening illness, racking up high medical costs and lost wages. Call us today for a review of your case. We’ll help you to get the compensation you deserve.