Prescription and over-the-counter medications are used for an intended effect, such as relieving a headache, treating a disease, or alleviating symptoms. Unfortunately, these drugs can have unpleasant side effects.
Some of these medications have the potential to cause serious issues like congenital disabilities. However, even dangerous medicines can be used correctly and with consent when patients are fully informed of the possible consequences.
Patients who use prescription or OTC drugs without full knowledge of the potentially severe side effects may have a claim based on resulting injuries. These cases are fact-specific because they depend on whether a person developed harmful side effects and the warnings and cautions associated with the medication.
A King of Prussia dangerous drugs lawyer could help you navigate the terrain of this challenging legal area. Contact the Dan Doyle Law Group today to discuss your case with a seasoned personal injury attorney.
In the United States, drugs are supposed to undergo rigorous testing before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declares that they are safe for public use. In reality, the FDA does not actually test the medications; instead, the manufacturers and developers perform these tests. While they may not intentionally skew their results, pharmaceuticals are profit-driven, and they do have an incentive to present favorable results.
Many of the issues related to dangerous drugs show up in the long term. A medication may appear safe for initial use but lead to some complications further down the road. Those problems may not be apparent when the drug initially gets approval.
One example of this is the drug thalidomide, a popular treatment for morning sickness in the 1960s and 70s. It was effective at treating morning sickness but also created congenital disabilities, which were not apparent until after use.
An unsafe pharmaceutical may get approved despite the known risks. The drug may be a more effective treatment for a difficult-to-treat medical condition. Those cases may get a black box warning, highlighting severe safety risks. The FDA still approves the medication because of its efficacy in treating a particular issue.
Once approved, doctors can prescribe medications for off-label uses. The problem is that a drug that was approved as the best treatment for one condition may not be the safest for treating others. There could be unnecessary risks, and a dangerous drugs lawyer in King of Prussia may include the prescribing doctor in a client’s claim following an injury.
The list of dangerous drugs is constantly evolving. When the FDA gets information that a medication leads to severe side effects, it evaluates it. The FDA may change the nature of the drug’s warnings or even revoke approval. Still, many hazardous medications remain available for use, which means that doctors may still prescribe them for other reasons. These include the following:
In some cases, the risks associated with a drug are acceptable, given the positive effects. For instance, the anti-seizure medication Topomax has been life-changing for many seizure patients and has successful off-label use in treating migraines.
However, for people who have an adverse reaction to the medication, the side effects can be debilitating and long-lasting. A King of Prussia lawyer who handles dangerous drugs cases could evaluate the injuries their client sustained from a medication and determine whether they have a case to pursue compensation.
Medication injuries can lead to serious health complications and chronic pain. When a drug manufacturer or doctor has ignored warnings and placed people at an unnecessary risk, they should be held responsible for those injuries.
When a hazardous medication has hurt you or a loved one, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Schedule a consultation with a King of Prussia dangerous drugs lawyer to learn more.
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