Drug Warnings: Paxil Side Effects and Risks

Paxil Warning Drug Toxic Chemicals

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Drug Warnings: Paxil Side Effects and Risks

Paxil (generic paroxetine hydrochloride) is an antidepressant manufactured by the pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline. Paxil is approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to treat depression, anxiety, panic, obsessive-compulsive activity, and post traumatic stress in adults. It’s not approved for the treatment of children under 18, because studies have failed to prove Paxil is an effective treatment for children. Paxil is known as a SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) drug.
Suffered harm from Paxil? You may have a lawsuit. Click here, for a top rated law firm to evaluate your legal rights.
Paxil has been the focus of debates about safety and the target of several official warnings.
The FDA issued a December 2005 warning about the risks of birth defects in infants born to women who took Paxil during the first trimester of pregnancy. Paxil increased “the risk of congenital malformations, particularly cardiovascular malformations.” Paxil has been more likely to cause birth defects than other SSRIs.
In March 2006, Health Canada issued a strongly worded warning to all pregnant women to take great care in using SSRIs during pregnancy because of the risk of danger to their babies that could be life threatening. Pregnant women were advised to discuss the dangers with their health care providers.
Studies have linked Paxil in particular to cardiovascular malformations, and one study has linked all SSRIs, including Paxil, with three other malformations, two of the head and one of the abdominal wall.
A 2006 study linked SSRIs with a sometimes fatal lung condition in infants whose mothers had taken the drugs.
In March 2006, an FDA research team reviewed studies on children and suicide and concluded that SSRI use increases risks for suicidal thoughts and behavior in patients under 18. An earlier FDA Public Health Advisory warning was given in October 2003, to inform the public about possible increases in suicide and violence in children and teenagers using Paxil. A few months earlier, in June, the British drug regulatory agency had ruled that Paxil should not be prescribed for children. The FDA has not banned the use of SSRIs for children under 18, in spite of a lack of evidence that the treatment with drugs like Paxil is effective for patients in that age group. The FDA has chosen to rely on increased warnings.
Check out the following articles for more information about Paxil, filing a Paxil lawsuit and finding a Paxil attorney:
For more information about Paxil, see Drug Overview: Paxil Side Effects and Claims
For more information about Paxil side effects, see Paxil Side Effects – Suicide, Birth Defects & Death from Coronary Artery Disease
For more information about Paxil updates, see Paxil Information and Warnings
If you would like to learn more about Paxil lawsuits, see Paxil Lawsuits, Litigation & Lawyers
To learn more about Paxil attorneys and how to find one, see Hiring a Paxil Attorney and Lawyer
Suffered harm from Paxil? You may have a lawsuit. Click here, for a top rated law firm to evaluate your legal rights.

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Court Rules Paxil Manufacturer Can’t Hide Behind Preemption

Paxil Preemption Defense Denied Drug Toxic Chemicals

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Court Rules Paxil Manufacturer Can’t Hide Behind Preemption

A Pennsylvania court recently ruled that GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), the manufacturer of the popular antidepressant drug Paxil, cannot claim that those injured by the drug are preempted from suing the company.
No preemption
The Philadelphia, PA court denied GSK’s request to dismiss a case brought by the parents of Harold Garrison, a 16 year-old who committed suicide after taking Paxil (generically known as paroxetine hydrochloride) for approximately nine months. According to the judge in the case, “The evidence suggests a triable issue of fact as to whether GSK indeed possessed information, not available to the FDA [U.S. Food and Drug Administration], upon which it could have unilaterally added a warning to its labeling, consistent with FDA regulations.”
The FDA’s position
The FDA has been investigating whether antidepressant drugs such as Paxil increase the risk of suicide in children. The FDA issued a warning in September 2004 for Paxil stating that the drug can cause suicidal behavior in minors. That warning followed a study from Great Britain which reported that over 1,000 children taking Paxil had an increased rate of suicidal behavior.
The FDA issued another warning for Paxil in May 2006 after a different study showed that young adults ages 18 – 30 also showed an increased rate of suicidal behavior. The court’s ruling to let the lawsuit go forward was partially based upon the fact that the FDA had not yet taken a position on antidepressants prescribed for children at the time of Garrison’s suicide in 2002. However, the issue of preemption and drug manufacturers will be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in the next few months.
Why didn’t GSK warn consumers?
That’s what the parents of Garrison want to know. In fact, many others in the U.S., Canada and the Great Britain also want to know. While GSK states that it wasn’t required to warn consumers about suicidal behavior in children because the FDA hadn’t required it to, the court disagreed and stated that the FDA’s rules allow drug manufacturers to “unilaterally add a warning on a drug, so long as the drug manufacturer has reasonable evidence of an association of a serious hazard with a drug.”
According to news reports, GSK faces several lawsuits in each country alleging that Paxil causes suicidal and homicidal behavior and is an addictive drug. They claim that GSK knew of the increased risks of suicide in minors, but kept that information to itself to boost sales.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to Paxil use, contact an attorney whose practice focuses in this area of the law to discuss your situation. Consultations are free, without obligation and are strictly confidential. To contact an experienced attorney, please click here. We may be able to help.

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Fosamax Information and Warning

Fosamax Warning Information Drug Toxic Chemicals

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Fosamax Information and Warning

Fosamax, Merck’s osteoporosis and Paget’s disease drug, has been implicated as a cause of Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) or Dead Jaw disease. ONJ is caused by the temporary or permanent loss of blood to bone tissue, which causes the tissue in the jawbone to die and the bone to decay. ONJ can also occur when the bone is prevented from replacing itself by the use of drugs like Fosamax. It has been estimated that more than 2,400 Fosamax patients have reported serious jaw problems, including ONJ, since 2001.
Fosamax is one of a group of drugs called bisphosphonates, and the jaw absorbs 10 times as much of a bisphosphonate as other bones in the body. Bisphosphonates prevent normal bone renewal, and the jaw and maxilla need renewal because they receive slight daily injuries from normal use. The continual injury and lack of renewal can lead to bone death.
The risk of bisphosphonate-related ONJ has been linked to the size of the dose, according to Maico Meol, oral surgeon at the Washington Center Hospital in Toronto, Canada. Almost 95% of bisphosphonate-related ONJ cases are related to high doses taken intravenously as chemotherapy. Bisphosphonates have a shelf life of about 12 years and stay in the body. Because they stay in the jawbone in large amounts, experts fear that many bisphosphonate-related ONJ cases will emerge in the future. ONJ is often brought on by invasive dental work, such as extractions, that injure the jawbone, but it sometimes occurs spontaneously.
Suffered harm from Fosamax? You may have a lawsuit. Click here, for a top rated law firm to evaluate your legal rights.
A report was published by Dr. Salvatore Ruggiero, a surgeon at the Long Island Jewish Hospital in 2004. He found bisphosphonate-related ONJ cases in both chemotherapy patients and those being treated from osteoporosis. An article by the head of oral and maxillofacial surgery at the University of Miami, Robert E. Marx, was published an article in the November, 2005 Journal of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery reporting bisphosphonate-related ONJ cases in patients receiving chemotherapy.
Fosamax information indicates that ONJ is a potential Fosamax side effect, particularly for patients who take it for a long period of time.
Check out the following articles for more information about Fosamax, filing a Fosamax lawsuit and finding a Fosamax attorney.
For more information about Fosamax, see Drug Overview: Fosamax Side Effects and Claims
For more information about Fosamax side effects, see Fosamax Side Effects – Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ)
To find out more about the FDA warning, see Fosamax Side Effects and Risks
If you would like to learn more about Fosamax lawsuits, see Fosamax Lawsuits, Litigation & Lawyers
To learn more about Fosamax attorneys and how to find one, see Hiring a Fosamax Attorney and Lawyer
Suffered harm from Fosamax? You may have a lawsuit. Click here, for a top rated law firm to evaluate your legal rights.

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Johnson & Johnson Recalls Duragesic Pain Patches

Johnson Johnson Recalls Duragesic Patches Drug Toxic Chemicals

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Johnson & Johnson Recalls Duragesic Pain Patches

Johnson & Johnson issued a voluntary recall all lots of its 25 microgram/hour (mcg/hr) DURAGESIC (fentanyl transdermal system) CII patches sold in the US by PriCara and all 25 mcg/hr fentanyl patches sold in the US by Sandoz Inc. The company reported that the patches may have a cut edge that could leak fentanyl gel and cause serious injury.
Details of the recall
According to a Johnson & Johnson press release – PriCara is a division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and a member of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies – the following products are being recalled:
All lots of 25 microgram/hour (mcg/hr) DURAGESIC (fentanyl transdermal system) CII patches sold by PriCara in the United States
All 25 mcg/hr fentanyl patches sold by Sandoz Inc. in the United States
All of the recalled patches were manufactured by the ALZA Corporation, an affiliate of PriCara, and have expiration dates on or before December 2009. All 25 mcg/hr fentanyl patches manufactured by ALZA and sold in Canada also are being recalled. Patches with 12.5, 50, 75 and 100 mcg/hr strengths aren’t affected.
Safety warnings
The patches may have a cut along one side of the drug reservoir within the patch that may result in the possible release of fentanyl gel and may expose patients or caregivers to that gel – an opioid analgesic with a potency approximately 80 times that of morphine or greater. Patches that are cut or damaged should not be used as serious injury could occur. According to the company:
Exposure to fentanyl gel may lead to serious adverse events, including respiratory depression and possible overdose, which may be fatal. Anyone who comes in contact with fentanyl gel should thoroughly rinse exposed skin with large amounts of water only; do not use soap. Immediately dispose of affected patches with cut edges by flushing them down the toilet, using caution not to handle them directly. Patches with a cut edge that have leaked gel will not provide effective pain relief.
Anyone who has 25 mcg/hr DURAGESIC or Sandoz Inc. fentanyl patches should check the box or foil pouch for the expiration date to see if they have patches that are being recalled. The cut edge in affected patches can be seen upon opening the sealed foil pouch that holds the patch. Affected patches should not be handled directly.
Additional information
Johnson & Johnson provided the following consumer information:
Anyone with 25 mcg/hr DURAGESIC patches being recalled should call 800-547-6446.
Anyone with 25 mcg/hr Sandoz Inc. patches being recalled should call800-901-7236.
Patients using fentanyl patches who have medical questions should contact their health-care providers.

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Accutane Side Effects – Suicide, Birth Defects, Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Accutane Side Effects Drug Toxic Chemicals

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Accutane Side Effects – Suicide, Birth Defects, Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Accutane, a synthetic form of vitamin A used to treat severe acne, has been the subject of much controversy and litigation due to serious side effects including severe inflammatory bowel disease, birth defects, suicide, depression, psychiatric disorders, and the potential for violence in patients taking it, as well as a long list of less serious side effects.

Patients have reported both inflammatory bowel disease and lupus after using Accutane. Some possible symptoms to watch for are:

Stomach, chest, or bowel pain

Rectal bleeding or serious or bloody diarrhea

Pain or difficulty swallowing

Increased heartburn

Yellowing of the skin or eyes

Dark urine

Bad headache or dizziness

Nausea and vomiting

Joint or muscle pain

Bone problems

Hearing loss

Difficulty breathing

Fainting

Increased thirst or urination

Slurred speech

Difficulty moving

Leg swelling

Increased cholesterol or triglycerides in blood

If you suffer these side effects you should seek medical help immediately. Blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides should be monitored during treatment with Accutane.

There have also been reports of suicides, suicidal thoughts, and other psychiatric disorders in patients taking Accutane since 1985. The FDA has required stronger warning on several occasions. Symptoms of these problems can include:

Depression

Sadness

Irritability

Unusual fatigue

Difficulty concentrating

Change of sleep patterns

Loss of appetite

Suicidal thoughts

Suicide attempts

Seizures

Patients taking Accutane should be carefully monitored for these symptoms and should contact a health care provider immediately if they occur.

The harm to infants whose mothers have taken Accutane during the pregnancy or shortly before getting pregnant is so clear that both the manufacturer, Hoffman La Roche, and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) have worked to create programs to make sure that patients taking the drug do not become pregnant. These efforts have not been successful and both pregnancies and birth defects continue to occur.

Suffered harm from Accutane? You may have a lawsuit. Click here, for a top rated law firm to evaluate your legal rights.

At least one study has also linked Accutane to increased levels of tryglycerides, cholesterol, and transaminase. Less serious potential Accutane side effects include:

Increased risk of sunburn

Increased risk of scarring

Decreased night vision

Accutane should not be taken with several kinds of other medications, which might increase the risks of side effects. You should tell your health care providers all the medications and supplements you’re taking before deciding to take Accutane. With all the concerns about birth defects and emphasis on birth control, you should be aware that Accutane may interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills that do not contain estrogen.

Check out the following articles for more information about Accutane, filing an Accutane lawsuit and finding an Accutane attorney.

For more information about Accutane, see Drug Overview: Accutane Side Effects and Claims.

For more information about Accutane updates, see Accutane Information and Warnings.

If you would like to learn more about Accutane lawsuits, see Accutane Lawsuits, Litigation & Lawyers.

To learn more about Accutane attorneys and how to find one, see Hiring an Accutane Attorney and Lawyer

Suffered harm from Accutane? You may have a lawsuit. Click here, for a top rated law firm to evaluate your legal rights.

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Whiplash Injury: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Whiplash Injury Injury Law

Whiplash Injury: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Whiplash is a soft tissue injury that happens when the neck and head are thrown forward and back again due to sudden impact (which is almost always a car accident). The impact flexes the head and neck beyond their normal range of movement. In addition to the tissue in the neck area, whiplash may also damage joints, discs, ligaments, muscles and nerve roots.
Common causes
The most common cause of whiplash is car accidents, but whiplash can also occur in sports accidents or when a child under age 5 is violently shaken (“shaken baby syndrome”).
Symptoms
Physical symptoms include:
Headaches
Neck pain or stiffness
Loss of motion in the neck
Injured muscles and ligaments
Dizziness
Psychological symptoms include:
Memory loss
Poor concentration and/or memory
Nervousness/irritability
Fatigue
Depression
Whiplash Treatment
You should always see a doctor immediately if you have been in a car accident, even if you don’t have a lot of pain, because you may still be injured.
The treatment may include pain medication, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, a cervical collar and perhaps antidepressants. Your doctor may also prescribe range-of-motion exercises and physical therapy.
In general, the prognosis for people suffering from whiplash injuries is good. Usually, the neck and head pain clears within a few days or weeks. Most patients recover within three months after the injury. However, some people may continue to feel some pain after that.
The violent shaking of young children may cause severe injuries to the child, including permanent brain damage or even death.
FreeAdvice offers Neck Injury/Whiplash FAQs that provide further information, but if you think you have whiplash due to someone else’s negligence, you should contact a personal injury attorney. It is important to pursue your case immediately, because all states have a statute of limitations, which is a law limiting how long you have to file a case. If you’d like your case to be evaluated by an experienced lawyer at no cost or further obligation, fill out FreeAdvice’s case evaluation form.

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Our new house had a terrible mold problem that we discovered soon after we moved in, and we had to get the problem fixed immediately. Can we recover money to compensate my family and I for the physical symptoms we suffered and for our costs to make our home livable?

New House Mold Problem Injury Law

Our new house had a terrible mold problem that we discovered soon after we moved in, and we had to get the problem fixed immediately. Can we recover money to compensate my family and I for the physical symptoms we suffered and for our costs to make our home livable?

Maybe. In addition to your actual costs of mold remediation, you should be able to recover for your physical symptoms and illnesses resulting from exposure to toxic mold. If your medical claims are measurable and you can demonstrate a direct relation to the mold, you can be compensated for them.

When you bring a personal injury claim for physical problems, you will have to have expert testimony to establish a causal connection between mold exposure and your injuries. You must not only show that mold can cause the type of injury you have, but also that you (and your affected family members) had sufficient mold exposure to cause your injuries.

You might be able to recover against your homeowners insurance, and/or against whomever may have been responsible for the underlying problem or potential construction defect, whether was a developer, an architect, a general contractor or a subcontractor. You might also be able to sue the previous homeowners if they knew about the mold but failed to disclose the problems at the time of the sale; the same goes for a realtor, or maybe even the lender backing the sale. Did you have an inspector who should have detected the problem? He or she might be partially responsible as well.

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, the amount you stand to recover will vary. If, for instance, you have simply suffered from a runny nose and periodic headaches, you do not stand to gain a huge recovery. On the other hand, if your son has developed a permanent asthmatic condition that will affect him for the rest of his life, the damages stand to be much higher (to take into account future medical costs as well as loss of the quality of life). An experienced attorney will be able to help you determine who might be responsible and what your personal injury claims are likely worth. You should contact an attorney as soon as you can, because each state limits how long you have to sue through a statute of limitations. If you would like to have a knowledgeable attorney review your case at no cost or further obligation, please fill out Free Advice’s case evaluation form.

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I just purchased a waterfront condo. It was suppose to be our dream. It’s a nightmare. Within months of purchase, we found my floor joints and common wall rift with mold. My family has suffered unbearable headaches, joint pain, nosebleeds, and rashes. The seller did not disclose any mold problem. The condo association is mum. Who do I square off against?

Home Mold In New Purchase Injury Law

I just purchased a waterfront condo. It was suppose to be our dream. It’s a nightmare. Within months of purchase, we found my floor joints and common wall rift with mold. My family has suffered unbearable headaches, joint pain, nosebleeds, and rashes. The seller did not disclose any mold problem. The condo association is mum. Who do I square off against?

In areas that are most at risk for causing leaks and resulting mold, the courts have held that these areas are common areas under the property owner’s control, even when the damage occurs in your condo. If the property owner retains control, he or she is under a duty to use reasonable care to repair the mold problem.

You possibly have legal claims against the prior owner, realtor, condo association, the lender and insurance company. One suggestion is to seek a moratorium on your mortgage payments while you clean up the mold problems. However, insurers declining coverage or lagging over a claim without justification or outright refusing to pay for toxic mold remediation have been held liable for acting in bad faith.

You can expect anyone you sue to argue that the exposure to mold did not cause your health problem. This is why it is vital to discuss your case with an experienced attorney. You should do so as soon as possible, because waiting too long may bar you from suing, due to your state’s statute of limitations. If you would like to have a cost-free, no-obligation case evaluation by a knowledgeable attorney, please fill out Free Advice’s case evaluation form.

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Can mold be toxic (poisonous)?

Toxic Poisonous Mold Injury Law

Can mold be toxic (poisonous)?

Studies have concluded that certain molds can trigger allergy-type symptoms (runny noses, headaches, and red eyes) and exacerbates those who are prone to asthma, and there is also evidence that mold causes other health problems, such as asthma, pulmonary hemorrhage, hysensitivity pneumonitis, and infectious diseases. However, the most common molds regularly discovered in homes and public buildings are not harmful to individuals. Only a few are capable of releasing toxic substances known as mycotoxins.

The category of molds that are most cited in the toxic mold cases are the Aspergillus species and the king of mold claims, Stachybotrys, (known as “black mold”). Individuals exposed to Stachybotrys experience recurring flu-like symptoms, fatigue, respiratory conditions, difficulty breathing. Aspergillus can be carcinogenic, acutely toxic to the liver, brain, kidneys and heart. It is uncertain how long of an exposure causes serious health problems.

One of the key difficulties is determining the poison potential of mold. Scientists are divided: some say it is deadly; others say it is just dangerous. Since only a few species are toxic, and then only under certain conditions, testing is often inconclusive due to difficulties reproducing the conditions of a home in a laboratory or identifying the species that produce toxins in the home. While toxins may be present, that does not necessarily predict exposure or illness.

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Structured Settlements

Car Accident Structured Settlements Auto

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Structured Settlements

A structured settlement is an agreement to pay out money owed from the settlement of a lawsuit in installments rather than one lump sum. Structured settlements usually involve large settlements and are typically created through the purchase of one or more annuities. The payments can be structured in any way the parties choose (monthly, yearly, quarterly, etc.). If you are involved in a car accident and are entitled to a large recovery, you might consider a structured settlement as the vehicle for payment. Structured settlements are also commonly used in workers’ compensation claims.
Structured Settlement Advantages
Why take a settlement in payments rather than one lump sum? There are several advantages to structured settlements. First, there are tax advantages. If properly set up, a structured settlement can reduce your tax liability or, in some cases, come tax-free. Second, receiving a settlement over time can ensure that the money you need will be there when you need it. Receiving one lump sum up front creates the risk of spending it all too quickly, leaving nothing left for a time when you may really need it for further treatment or to purchase new medical equipment. A structured settlement ensures you will not spend it all at once.
Structured Settlement Disadvantages
While some people may find it helpful to have the money metered out over time rather than risk spending the whole amount too quickly, others may feel overly burdened by the periodic payments that leave little room for flexible spending. Still others may find that taking the money up-front and investing it themselves will yield higher long-term returns over the annuities used in a structured settlement. Once in a structured settlement, some people opt to sell their settlement for a lump sum. There are many potential settlement buyers out there. If you have a structured settlement, you may have already been approached by a potential purchaser. There are a number of important things to know before considering the sale of a settlement.
Selling Your Structured Settlement
The sale of a structured settlement is not quite as easy as it may seem. First, you must check your state’s laws. As of March 2006, forty-four states and the federal government now have enacted structured settlement protection laws that require court approval for the sale and detailed financial and legal disclosures be given the seller before the transaction can be made. Under federal law, the purchaser of a structured settlement may be subject to a 40% excise tax if they did not comply with state laws. These laws are in place to protect structured settlement owners from fraud or abuse and are designed to make sure a settlement owner gets a fair price. The following states have enacted structured settlement protection laws: Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wyoming

For more information about structured settlement, check out Free Advice’s Structured Settlement FAQs.

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