Before releasing their products to the market, drug companies are supposed to undergo exhaustive testing and prove that their drugs are safe and effective. But with the influx of an increasing number of prescription drugs and medications in recent years, the FDA approval process has been shown to not always be reliable. Many drugs have been released to the public and deemed “safe”, only to be later recalled by the drug manufacturer or the FDA. The problem is that while they were on the market, these drugs were taken by tens of thousands of consumers that were unaware of the risks they may pose and the adverse health effects they may suffer. To ensure that this practice does not continue, it is important to hold the drug companies accountable when their product results in serious injury or death. For this reason, when someone is negatively impacted by a faulty drug, it is best to seek the counsel of an experienced Chicago defective drugs attorney.
Defective drugs end up on the market in large part because the dangerous side effects caused by these prescription or over-the-counter medications were not discovered during the clinical trial phase. In these cases, the drug was most likely rushed through the trial period without a wide enough study to fully determine the effects it may have on users with varying conditions. In other cases, drug companies may have withheld key pieces of information about their product during the FDA approval process. However, they end up on the market, the consequences of these dangerous drugs can be quite tragic, especially for certain weaker segments of the population such as children and the elderly.
Potentially Dangerous Drugs to Be Aware Of
The list of defective drugs facing FDA scrutiny and recalls is continually evolving, but here are some of the better known drugs that have received attention from the FDA and consumer watch groups in recent years:
- Accutane for Acne
- Actos and Avandia for Type 2 Diabetes
- Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Lexapro and Effexor for Depression
- Yaz, Yasmin, Mirena and Ocella for Birth Control
- Xeralto and Pradaxa for Blood Thinning
- Heparin for Heart Disease
- Fosamax for Osteoporosis
- Meridia for Weight Loss
- Propecia for Hair Loss
- GranuFlo and NaturaLyte for Kidney Problems
- Vytorin and Zetia for High Cholesterol
- Depakote for Mood Stabilization
- Vioxx for Osteoarthritus
- Zantac and Generic Ranitidine for Heartburn and Acid Reducer
Many of these drugs and medications have already been pulled off the market, while others are still under investigation. In addition, there are sure to be many other drugs added to this list in the future as their side effects become known to the FDA and the public.
If you or someone you know has experienced the harmful effects of any of the aforementioned drugs or any others not on this list, speak to a Chicago defective drugs lawyer at Hurley McKenna & Mertz, P.C. right away. For over two decades, we have been representing clients injured by dangerous drugs in Chicago, Cook County and communities throughout the nation. We have the experience and wherewithal to go up against the big pharmaceutical companies and fight hard for every dollar of compensation you deserve. Contact us today for your free consultation.
For a free consultation, contact Hurley McKenna & Mertz, P.C. today at 312-553-4900 or fill out our online form to have a lawyer contact you.
