As patients, we have the right to feel safe taking the drugs and getting the devices prescribed to us, but our safety isn’t guaranteed. Even as technology continues to develop and the medical field sees great enhancements in medical care, some drugs and medical devices are still dangerous and pose a threat to the safety of patients everywhere. These are the top six most dangerous drugs and devices on the market this year – have you been injured by any of them?
Xarelto
California came in at Number 1 on the list of prescription drug overdoses, with 4,521 deaths in 2014. Xarelto, a drug prescribed as a blood thinner, contributed to this number by causing uncontrollable bleeding and internal hemorrhaging. Unlike other blood thinners, Xarelto does not have an antidote if uncontrollable bleeding occurs – making it incredibly dangerous. Many people sued Xarelto manufacturers, Bayer and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, for releasing a dangerous drug to the public.
Zofran
Used for suppressing nausea, some research has linked this to birth defects in pregnant women. While originally designed to help cancer patients during chemotherapy, obstetricians often prescribe the drug to pregnant women who suffered severe morning sickness.
However, the drug seems to cause injury to the mother and birth defects in the unborn children of some who took Zofran while pregnant. Zofran and its generic forms can seriously endanger pregnancy, yet many doctors still prescribe it to women today.
Invokana
Invokana is a special kind of medication for Type 2 diabetics that lowers blood sugar by making the kidneys discharge glucose through the urine. While every medication has the risk of side effects, Invokana is particularly dangerous because of the risk of developing ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition that can lead to a diabetic coma and death. The FDA has warned people against Invokana, but the agency hasn’t removed it from the market.
Surgical Mesh
Physicians use pelvic slings and surgical mesh to remedy prolapsed organs, such as the bladder or uterus. The medical community has yet to realize the dangers of surgical mesh fully, and many healthcare providers fail to warn women properly before they agree to the surgery.
For years, women have been going under the knife with the promise of returning to work full-time within two weeks after getting surgical mesh – only to be the victims of incredible pain from the mesh migration into other parts of the body, which can cause permanent nerve damage.
IVC Filters
Inferior vena cava filters are small devices doctors place in the IVC vein to catch blood clots before they reach the heart. While these filters have saved lives, thousands of people have experienced serious adverse effects including IVC filter migration into other parts of the body, punctured blood vessels, difficulty removing the filter, and dangerous product defects. IVC filter lawsuits often claim negligence for failing to warn people of the dangers of the device.
Power Morcellators
Surgeon used morcellators for years to break up uterine fibroids without the need for extensive surgery. The power morcellator has a rapidly rotating blade that breaks up fibroids, spreading the material spread throughout other parts of the body. With fibroids that are cancerous (and there is no way of knowing this beforehand), this causes the cancer to spread rapidly through the rest of the body. Other forms of treatment, such as surgical removal of fibroids, are safer alternatives.
Contact The Gomez Trial Attorneys
If you’ve been injured or affected by any of these drugs or devices or another type of medical solution, contact the product liability lawyers at Gomez Trial Attorneys right away to find out more about your legal options.
Thousands of people injured with these dangerous devices and medications have received significant compensation through litigation. You aren’t alone in the fight against dangerous and deadly medical practices. Get the help you deserve today.
Sources:
https://somethingaboutorange.com/mrl/projects/nose/
