Injury Law Firm Blog

Autopsy to Tell Whether Heparin Killed Corpus Christi Infant

An autopsy will be performed on a newborn to determine whether an overdose of heparin may have played a part in its death. So far, two members of the staff at Christus Spohn Hospital South have taken leave. It's unclear whether heparin played a role in the child's death, because the newborn was already seriously ill and being cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit before dying Tuesday morning.

Chantix The Subject of Media Investigation

Chantix is getting even more bad press lately. Earlier this month, I blogged about a man who went missing and the potential part Chantix may have played in the event. Now there are reports that the Veterans Administration never warned veterans who were using the drug in a clinical trial of its potential dangers.

Another Fentanyl Pain Patch Recall

Actavis Inc has recalled all remaining lots of Fentanyl Pain Patches. As with the previous recalls, there may be a defect that could cause fentanyl to leak directly to the skin of the patient or caregiver and cause an Fentanyl overdose. Fentanyl overdose could cause difficulty breating or even death. Actavis recalled 14 lots of the Fentanyl Pain Patches a few weeks ago and now are recalling all remaining lots of their fentanyl transdermal system patches. They say this additional recall is as a precautionary measure.

More Fentanyl Pain Patches Recalled

Another Fentanyl pain patch has been recalled today due to the risk of accidental Fentanyl overdose. Activis Inc. has recalled 14 lots of its Fentanyl transdermal system CII patches as a cautionary measure. Fentanyl transdermal patches (sold as Duragesic) are prescribed to treat severe chronic pain that requires constant medication for extended periods.

Allergy-Type Reactions Spur Recall of Baxter Heparin Vials

Heparin Sodium Injection Vials were recalled due to an increase in adverse Heparin reactions. Baxter has received 100 reports of negative reactions and one death that may be linked to the Baxter Heparin recall.

Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents: Aranesp , Epogen, and Procrit Linked to Increased Tumor Growth

The FDA informed healthcare professionals of findings from two additional clinical studies, Preoperative Epirubicin Paclitaxel Aranesp Study (PREPARE), and the National Cancer Institute Gynecologic Oncology Group (COG-19), showing an increase in mortality and shorter time to tumor progression in patients with cancer receiving an Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agent (ESA). Both the PREPARE study in breast cancer and the COG-19 study in cervical cancer showed higher rates of death and or tumor progression in patients who received an ESA compared to patients who did not receive an ESA. FDA strongly recommends that healthcare professionals discuss the risks of ESA-associated tumor progression and shortened survival in patients with cancer before starting or continuing ESA therapy.

Accutane Linked to Depression, Lower Serotonin Levels

Accutane is a drug used to treat severe acne and has been linked to depression among users. According to researchers Accutane is also linked to decreaded serotonin levels in the brain, which can cause depression and aggressiveness. It has been linked to psychiatric issues including over 250 suicides in the US.

Viagra, Levitra, Cialis, Revatio Patients Warned of Risk of Hearing Loss

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) informed healthcare professionals of reports of sudden decreases or loss of hearing following the use of PDE5 inhibitors, Viagra, Levitra, Cialis for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and Revatio for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Diacetyl in Microwave Popcorn Discovered Years Ago - Dangers not Publicized

Popcorn manufacturers adding Diacetyl to their popcorn have begun removing the dangerous chemical from their products. This comes more than a year after the EPA produced a study warning of potential health hazards from Diacetyl. Diacetyl was identified at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2002 as the cause of a debilitating and sometimes fatal lung disease among workers in the plants where it is produced.

Gadolinium Linked to NSF & NFD

A 2006 study found nearly 50% of patients diagnosed with Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) had received an MRI involving use of a gadolinium-based contrast agent. These results were confirmed by other studies and case reports showing a similar connection between Gadolinium and NSF. NSF is debilitating and could lead to death and people who get an MRI with a gadolinium based contrast agent may develop NSF. The FDA says there are 215 patients with NSF in the world. About 75 of those people had gotten a gadolinium-based contrast agent for an MRI or MRA. The FDA has found gadolinium in skin biopsies of patients with NSF.