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
FDA Warns: Antipsychotic Zyprexa Causes Adolescent Weight Gain
The Food and Drug Administration is again warning doctors and patients about the risks of weight gain and diabetes in children and teens prescribed the powerful antipsychotic drug Zyprexa.
Prostate Cancer Treatment Boosts Cholesterol and Heart Attack Risks
A particular type of prostate cancer treatment which cuts off the supply of male hormone also increases cholesterol and heart attack risks, makes blood-sugar disorders worse, and causes men to be fatter, a new report says.
HIV Drug Videx Linked to Serious Liver Disorder
HIV patients taking the drug Videx and Videx EC (didanosine) have developed a rare but serious liver disorder called non-chrrhotic portal hypertension, the Food and Drug Administration warned.
FDA Wants More Data on Pneumonia Drug Telavancin
The Food and Drug Administration is asking the maker of the proposed pneumonia drug Telavancin to provide more information and conduct additional clinical trials before the agency will approve the drug.
Theravance Inc. wants the FDA to approve its drug to treat nosocomial pneumonia. Last year, the FDA asked the company for more data before granting [...]First Digitek Heart Drug Trial Set for Jan. 2011
The first trial among hundreds of lawsuits filed over oversized Digitek heart pills accused of causing patients to suffer life-threatening injuries is set to begin in January 2011, a federal court judge has ruled.
Prozac and Paxil Can Cause Breast Feeding Problems, New Study Says
Taking Prozac, Paxil, or other antidepressants from the class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can cause delays in lactation in new mothers and difficulty in breast-feeding newborns, a new study says.
Starting Dosage Adjusted for Cancer Drug Velcade (bortezomib)
The Food and Drug Administration has announced changes to the starting dosage for the cancer drug Velcade when it is used in patients with moderate to severe liver impairment.
Meridia, Alli and Xenical: Popular Diet Drugs in the Safety Spotlight
Diet drugs taken by millions of people looking to shed some extra pounds or stay thin after losing weight are now being investigated for causing heart attacks, strokes, and liver damage.
Meridia, a prescription drug used to treat obese patients who also have diabetes, high cholesterol, and other health risk factors, is now the focus of [...]Opioid Use Increases Seniors’ Bone Fracture Risks
Taking potent painkillers called opioids in larger doses later in life increases the risks of painful bone fractures, new medical research says.
Counterfeit Alli Pills Contain 3x Daily Dose
Counterfeit pills of the diet drug Alli contain up to three times of an active ingredient, which may be harmful to consumers, the Food and Drug Administration said.
