DANGEROUS MEDICATIONS ON & OFF THE MARKET
The following is a list of medications which have been considered so dangerous by the medical profession that they have either been withdrawn from the market, or their use is restricted to only certain types of patients, or they are allowed to be used, but all information about the drug is required to contain warnings of the severe side effects that may result. Even with strict labeling requirements, this has not been enough to prevent deaths and severe disability due to adverse reactions to these medications.

If you or someone you love has been a victim of a serious side effect or has dies as a result of a serious side effect, please contact the Raphaelson Law firm for a free case evaluation.

Drugs that have been withdrawn due to serious side effects:

1. Duract, pain reliever: withdrawn June 1998 Linked to 4 deaths and 8 liver transplants.

2. Fenfluramine and Dexfenfluramine (Fen-Phen), appetite Suppressants: withdrawn September 1997 when studies found heart valve abnormalities occurred in 31% of patients tested.

3. Phenylpropanolamine: ingredient used in many cough and cold medications and over the counter weight loss medications increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke.

4. Posicor, blood pressure-lowering medication, banned June 1998. Risks include life-threatening interactions with at least 26 other medications.

5. Seldane, antihistamine, withdrawn March 1998. It caused rare but serious heart problems when taken with other drugs, mainly the macrolide class of antibiotics (such as erythromycin).

6. Rezulin- drug for diabetes caused severe liver damage and death.

7. Vioxx - NSAID used for arthritis, pain and menstrual symptoms caused higher risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Dangerous drugs still available:

1. Viagra: drug for erectile dysfunction has caused 522 deaths as well as increased risk of heart attack, heart rhythm abnormalities, congestive heart failure, strokes, sudden low blood pressure and fainting.

2. Accutane: an acne drug that causes suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, suicides, severe birth defects, and miscarriage. It has also caused fatal pancreatitis and hepatitis.

3. Calcium channel blockers: blood pressure medication increases risk of stroke and heart attack

4. Celebrex: arthritis drug may lead to severe bleeding episodes

5. Crestor: drug used to lower cholesterol can cause muscle damage/dysfunction

6. Depakote, Depacon, and Depakene - drug used for epilepsy, manic episodes in manic depression and as a migraine preventative.

7. Erythromycin: commonly used antibiotic linked to pyloric stenosis/projectile vomiting in newborns

8. Gabitril: psychiatric drug has caused seizures in people who are not epileptic

9. Geodon: a drug that can cause diabetes that can be permanent, even after the drug is stopped. Rare complication of diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycemic coma.

10. Halcion: sleeping pill is highly addictive and commonly causes insomnia if used for more than 10 days

11. Hismanal: nondrowsy antihistamine causes abnormal heart rhythms, heart attack, death.

12. Immune Globulin Intravenous (IGIV): may cause severe kidney damage or kidney failure

13. Lamictal: an antiepileptic drug linked to a potentially fatal rash.

14. Lamisil: drug used for fingernail and/or toenail fungus may result in liver failure, some of these cases leading to death or liver transplant.

15. Lovanox (low molecular weight heparin): - blood thinner can cause long term and/or permanent paralysis

16. Mellaril: drug used for schizophrenia has been associated with heart rhythm abnormalities and sudden death.

17. Permax: drug used for Parkinson's disease has been associated with damage to heart valves, scarring of lungs, fluid on lungs, scarring of peritoneum, and fluid/inflammation of space surrounding heart.

18. Premarin: menopause medication increases risk of blood clots, stroke, gallbladder disease and has many other severe side effects.

19. Prempro (conjugated estrogens/ medroxyprogesterone tablets) and Premphase (conjugated estrogens/ medroxyprogesterone tablets) used to treat menopausal symptoms and as a preventative for osteoporosis. (Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories). May cause many serious side effects.

20. Propulsid: a drug used for GERD and gastroparesis (delayed emptying of the stomach usually found in diabetics), caused severe heart rhythm abnormalities. It is still available but its use is restricted.

21. Ritodrine: anti-miscarriage drug ineffective and dangerous

22. Serentil: drug used for schizophrenia may cause serious heart rhythm abnormalities and sudden death.

23. Tasmar (tolcapone): a drug used for Parkinson's disease can cause acute liver failure.

24. Topamax: anti-epilepsy drug may cause serious eye damage and/or blindness

25. Trovan: an antibiotic that can lead to liver dysfunction &/or liver failure. Its use is restricted.

26. Zyvox: an antibiotic which can cause the cessation of the body's ability to make blood (myelosuppression) - a life-threatening condition.