On July 14, 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety alert regarding Avastin, a drug commonly prescribed to patients in combination with chemotherapy. The prescription drug is used to help treat metastatic colon cancer.

The safety alert was issued due to reports of several cases of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia. The reports were made when Avastin was combined with sunitinib malate. The FDA has not approved the combination of Avastin and sunitinib malate. Defective drug attorneys understand that administering prescription medication that has not been approved by the FDA can cause serious adverse effects.

During a study of the use of Avastin combined with sunitinib malate, five patients of the twelve enrolled in the study developed microangiopathic hemolytic anemia.

Canadian drug makers, Health Canada, are recalling ratio-Morphine SR 15 milligram, 30 milligram and 60 milligram tablets. The tablets are being recalled due to possible overdose risks.

The recall was initiated after complaints were received by KV Pharmaceutical, a U.S. drug manufacturer.

Some morphine tablets may be oversized, containing more prescription medication than indicated on the label. This could lead to potential overdose.

According to defective drug attorneys, the symptoms of a morphine overdose are:

• Abnormal breathing
• Abnormally low blood pressure
• Abnormally low heart rate
• Dizziness

If untreated, a serious morphine overdose may also result in a cardiac arrest or fatality. If a drug overdose is suspected, defective drug lawyers agree that it is important to contact a qualified medical professional.

          The defective drug lawyers at Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP are looking into cases involving Chantix, a popular stop-smoking drug, which has been linked to problems such as heart disease, seizures, and diabetes. Reports released by the Institute of Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) have included 988 serious incidents linked to Chantix in the United States during the fourth quarter of 2007, more than any other medication for that period. 173 injuries, including falls and traffic accidents, have been identified, as well as 224 reports of potential heart-rhythm disturbances, 372 reports of movement disorders, and 544 reports of glyceminc problems, including diabetes. Requests have been made to Pfizer to strengthen Chantix’s label warnings and to examine emerging safety issues. Chantix went on the U.S. market in 2006, and Pfizer has revised its labeling of the drug in November 2007, January 2008, and May 2008, but the label still does not include adequate warnings of the possible side effects of the drug.

          If you or a loved one has been harmed by a dangerous drug or product, contact the dangerous product lawyers at Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP today, at 1-800-460-0606.