According to a July 30 story published in the Chicago Tribune, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, for the first time, has conclusively linked deaths of patients to specific lots of contaminated heparin made by Baxter International Inc.

In an interview, the FDA said it completed its review of 93 death reports related to heparin that the agency received from Jan. 1 to March 31, a period when there was a dramatic spike in potentially deadly allergic reactions from patients who had been injected with heparin. The popular blood thinner is used widely in large dosages, often before patients have dialysis or heart surgery.

Of 10 reports of death from severe shock known as anaphylaxis or hypotension, three of those could be traced to lot numbers of Baxter products that tested positive for an animal-like substance known as oversulfated chondroitin sulfate. Heparin lot numbers were not known for the other seven deaths from anaphylaxis or hypotension, so the FDA could not determine whether those seven patients received heparin contaminated with the substance.

“We have what looks like a cause and effect in some patients,” Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in an interview, referring to the three deaths linked to contaminated heparin. “We know that they got contaminated heparin, and they died subsequently. This is one of the final links in the chain.”

Baxter recalled its heparin products in February in the wake of the spike in the number of the allergic reactions. In recent months, federal health officials and Baxter believe the oversulfated chondroitin sulfate was intentionally put into the product from suppliers in China

Several wrongful death lawsuits have already been filed against Baxter and other manufacturers who allowed contaminated heparin onto the market.

On April 25, 2008 Digitek (digoxin), a medication used to treat congestive heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms, and other conditions, was recalled due to the possibility that tablets were doubled in thickness and could contain twice the approved level of the active ingredient. The existence of double-strength pills pose a risk of digitalis toxicity, which can result in nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, cardiac instability, bradycardia and even death.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by Digitek, or any other dangerous drug or product, contact the Digitek attorneys at Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP today, at 1-800-460-0606 for a free evaluation of your legal rights.

The consumer advocate lawyers at Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP are reviewing cases involving Permax and Dostinex and their possible link to valvular heart disease (VHD). Typically prescribed for Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), a recent New England Journal of Medicine study has shown a statistically significant percentage of those who used these drugs for more than one year developed the potentially serious complication of valvular heart disease (VHD).

If you or a loved one has taken Permax or Dostinex and have been harmed by taking it, contact the experienced attorneys at Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP today, at 1-800-460-0606.

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.

Only July 8, 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that boxed warnings on the labels of fluoroquinolone antimicrobial drugs are necessary. Defective drug lawyers and drug manufacturers are aware that the drugs increase the risk of tendonitis and tendon rupture.

The FDA has also determined that the manufacturers of the drugs are required to supply patients with a Medication Guide to warn them about possible adverse effects.

The FDA has required a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy be provided by the manufacturers of the antimicrobial drugs. This strategy will help to determine if the benefits of the drugs outweigh the risks.

Fluoroquinolone antimicrobial drugs are prescribed to treat some types of bacterial infections. Defective drug attorneys work to ensure that patients are properly informed about their prescription medications.

This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the nationwide recall of two sexual supplements due to the presence of undeclared ingredients. Both supplements were distributed by Jack Distribution LLC, which voluntarily recalled the products.

The lots affected by the recall include “Rize 2 The Occasion” lot numbers CG-84, GD-98, CC-06 and CG-79 and “Rose 4 Her” lot number CG-78.

The FDA stated that the unauthorized drug found in the supplements has a similar structure to a common erectile dysfunction medication, which is known to cause serious adverse reactions. The drug found in the recalled products is called thiomethisosildenafil. It could cause a disruption in nitrates, which can significantly lower blood pressure and causing life-threatening adverse effects.

Defective drug attorneys are working to help those who have become seriously ill due to faulty medications.

On June 17, 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent warning letters to 23 companies and two foreign individuals who are selling and marketing products that fraudulently claim to cure cancer.

The list of companies who received warning letters is located on the FDA website.

The series of warning letters that were sent out are a part of attempts made to prevent companies from selling and marketing fraudulent products.

If the companies do not adhere to the letters sent by the FDA, further action may be taken, such as criminal prosecution.

Defective drug attorneys are working to protect consumers from becoming ill from fraudulently marketed products.

According to a study published in the Journal of Orthopedic Trauma, Fosamax and other bisphosphonates that are taken over long-periods of time may cause patients to be at risk for stress fractures.

Bisphosphonates are prescription drugs used to increase bone density, but according to Dr. Dean G. Lorich and Dr. Joseph M. Lane, they may eventually suppress the ability of bones to heal after a stress injury.

The study focused on 70 patients. There were 25 patients who had been taking Fosamax for a minimum of five years. Of the patients taking Fosamax, 19 had a femoral stress fracture. Of the patients that were not taking Fosamax, only one patient presented with a stress fracture.

While further research is necessary, the doctors recommend that physicians should monitor the bone regeneration of patients who are taking bisphosphonates for a long period of time.

Defective drug attorneys are working to help those who have become ill or who have suffered injury due to defective prescription medication.