Posted in Drug & Medical Devices on March 5, 2015

The anti-nausea drug Zofran® has often been prescribed off-label to pregnant women suffering from serious morning sickness.  However, the evidence is growing that taking this drug may cause women to give birth to babies with a variety of birth defects. Zofran was approved in 1991 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating...

Posted in Drug & Medical Devices on February 24, 2015

The drug Zofran® , also known as Ondansetron, is approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat nausea and vomiting resulting from chemotherapy treatment for cancer and after being administered anesthetic during surgery. The medication works by blocking serotonin, a natural substance in the human body, which can cause vomiting, It is manufactured by...

Posted in Drug & Medical Devices on February 19, 2015

Elk & Elk is actively investigating claims of serious bleeding events linked to the Alere INRatio and INRatio2 Test Strips and Monitor Systems. Patients and family members of those taking the blood-thinning drug warfarin (Coumadin) should be aware of recent recalls by Alere. Coumadin is the brand name for the anticoagulant medicine warfarin, a...

Posted in Drug & Medical Devices on November 12, 2014

Stryker has agreed to compensate thousands of individuals affected by recalled hip implants—setting aside $1.4 billion to cover costs of the settlement. The affected implants are the ABG II Modular Hip System and the Rejuvenate Modular Hip System. Bloomberg news reports the medical device manufacturer “will pay a base amount of $300,000 per case...

Posted in Drug & Medical Devices, Health & Wellness on October 29, 2014

Most of us take medications knowing there is a risk of side effects, but that risk is small, right? Surely the FDA ensures the health benefits outweigh these minor inconveniences, right? But what if I told you that if your grandmother took a sleeping pill, she’d be 50% more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease?...

Posted in Drug & Medical Devices, Medical Malpractice on October 28, 2014

For millions of Americans, staying in a long-term healthcare facility means an increased risk of developing bedsores. Also known as pressure ulcers, these skin lesions can cause serious and painful infections of the skin, bones and joints. Complications can include tissue and nerve damage, organ failure and even cancer. The best way to prevent...

Posted in Drug & Medical Devices on September 23, 2014

It seems that even doctors can fall prey to the same counterfeit drug scams that have plagued consumers. We received an email today, which announced the FDA has launched a new website, warning health care professionals about a growing trend: Fake drug distributors. “There is a growing network of rogue wholesale drug distributors selling...

Posted in Drug & Medical Devices on August 13, 2014

After the recent multi-million dollar Pradaxa lawsuit settlement, patients who suffered a bleeding injury while taking the anticoagulant Xarelto may wonder if they have a legal claim. For more than 50 years, patients with an abnormal heart rhythm known as nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AFib not due to valve problems) used a blood thinner called...

Posted in Drug & Medical Devices on August 1, 2014

Johnson & Johnson has asked all hospitals to return a surgical device that can spread cancer in women being treated for uterine growths called fibroids. The company has instituted a voluntary “worldwide market withdrawal” of the surgical tool known as a laparoscopic power morcellator. During laparoscopic hysterectomies and myomectomies, surgeons use a power morcellator...

Posted in Drug & Medical Devices on June 26, 2014

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning that some products used to treat acne may cause potentially life-threatening side effects. According to an agency press release, over-the-counter acne products containing the active ingredients benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid can cause severe irritation or even fatal allergic reactions. The FDA warning names...