Dangerous Drugs Can Prolong Illness and Worsen Conditions
Millions of Americans are injured or killed every year by dangerous prescription drugs that cause unexpected side effects and complications. Pharmaceuticals are widely used to treat a wide range of diseases and conditions, from high-blood pressure and diabetes to pain management and heart disease. However, in some cases, prescription drugs are dangerous and actually worsen a patient’s physical condition, prolonging illness and suffering.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the agency charged with testing new drugs before the products are approved for use in patients. The agency also sets standards for the pharmaceutical industry, including the packaging of drugs and warnings on the packaging. Despite strict testing and research of pharmaceuticals, dangerous drugs still make it to market, where they are taken by patients who suffer pain, injuries, and death.
What Diseases and Conditions May be Caused by Dangerous Drugs?
Drugs that have dangerous side effects or cause life-threatening adverse reactions when taken in combination with other drugs may cause a variety of serious diseases and conditions, including:
- Birth defects
- Heart attack, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, and other cardiac problems
- Stroke
- Liver disease or liver failure
- Hypertension
- Respiratory disorders
What is a Drug Recall?
When the potential benefits of a drug are outweighed by the potential risk of injuries to people taking the drug, the FDA may step in and order the drug removed from the market. Drugs are commonly recalled for manufacturing defects, contamination, and when research studies detect an unreasonably high risk of harm to people taking the drugs. The goal of a product recall is to remove potentially harmful drugs from the market before they can reach patients, causing injuries.
In some cases, the FDA may allow a potentially dangerous drug to remain in circulation, but order the manufacturer to add warnings to the drug’s packaging, change the recommended dosage, or make other changes intended to protect users. This action, while not a recall, is also intended to protect consumers from dangerous drugs.
Topics in this category
Octagam (Immune Globulin Intravenous (human)) 5% Liquid Preparation: Market Withdrawal – Risk of Thromboembolic Events
Audience: Risk Manager, Hematology, Pharmacy
ISSUE: Octapharma USA Inc. initiated a voluntary market withdrawal of selected lots of Octagam [Immune Globulin Intravenous (human)] 5% Liquid Preparation as a result of an increased number of reported…
MasXtreme Capsules (Natural Wellness) – product contains undeclared drug ingredient
Audience: Consumers, Pharmacists [UPDATED 08/25/2010] Natural Wellness notified consumers it is conducting a nationwide voluntary recall of MasXtreme, Lot # 907043, UPC 094922300805. Laboratory analysis conducted by FDA determined the product…
TimeOut Capsules: Undeclared Drug Ingredient
Audience: Consumers ISSUE: FDA analyzed TimeOut and determined that it contains hydroxythiohomosildenafil, a chemical similar to sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra. Like sildenafil, this chemical may interact with prescription drugs…
Stalevo(carbidopa/levodopa and entacapone): Ongoing Safety Review: Possible increased cardiovascular risk
Audience: Neurology, Cardiology Issue: FDA notified healthcare professionals that it is evaluating clinical trial data that suggest patients taking Stalevo (a combination of carbidopa/levodopa and entacapone) may be at an increased risk for…
Midodrine hydrochloride: FDA Proposes Withdrawal of Low Blood Pressure Drug
Audience: Cardiology and Nephrology ISSUE: FDA proposed to withdraw approval of the drug midodrine hydrochloride, used to treat the low blood pressure condition, orthostatic hypotension, because required post-approval studies that verify the…
Prolatis’: Undeclared Drug Ingredient
Audience: Consumers [Posted 08/13/2010]
ISSUE: Lab analysis has found Prolatis’ to contain Sulfoaildenafil, an analogue of Sildenafil, an FDA-approved drug used as treatment for male Erectile Dysfunction (ED), making Prolatis’ an…
Lamictal (lamotrigine): Label Change – Risk of Aseptic Meningitis
Audience: Pediatrics, Neurology, Psychiatry ISSUE: FDA notified healthcare professionals and patients that Lamictal (lamotrigine), a medication commonly used for seizures in children two years and older, and bipolar disorder in adults, can cause…
Novacare LLC Products: Recall – Undeclared Drug Ingredient
Audience: Consumers Products sold under the following names: Stiff Nights, Aziffa, Size Matters, Erex, Mojo, Hard Drive, Eyeful, Red Magic, Straight Up, Zotrex, Monster Excyte, WOW, Xaitrex, Verect, Prolatis, Xytamax, Maxyte, Libidinal, OMG, OMG45,…
Qualaquin (quinine sulfate): New Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy – Risk of serious hematological reactions
Audience: Primary Care, Infectious Disease
[UPDATED 08/04/2010] Dear Healthcare Professional Letter issued.
[Posted 07/08/2010]
ISSUE: Due to continued reports of serious side effects in patients using Qualaquin “off-label” for night time leg…
NeoProfen (ibuprofen lysine) Injection: Recall and Shortage – Risk of Particulate Matter
Audience: Cardiovascular Surgery, Anesthesia, Pharmacy
ISSUE: FDA notified healthcare professionals of a recall of two lots of NeoProfen (ibuprofen lysine) Injection because the product failed to meet a visible particulate quality requirement….
