Celebrex

Merck & Co.’s abrupt withdrawal of Vioxx from the market had increased scrutiny on other COX-2 inhibitors – specifically Celebrex, made by Pfizer Inc. Pfizer Inc. has reported that it found an increased risk of heart attacks for patients taking high dosages of its top-selling painkiller Celebrex.

Health concerns about the use of Celebrex have been raised in the past. In the August 2001 edition of the medical journal JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), an article raised concerns about the drug’s impact on cardiovascular health. The FDA sent Pharmacia Corp. a “warning letter” indicating that Pfizer's advertising campaign minimized the potentially serious cardiovascular findings that were observed in drug trials.

In addition to increased risk of heart attack and stroke, patients taking Celebrex are also at heightened risk of gastrointestinal hemorrhage, ulcers and kidney problems.

Anti-Depressant Side Effects

Zoloft, Paxil, and Prozac all belong to a class of drugs known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, or SSRIs. SSRIs have become notorious for their alleged ability to induce children / adolescents to violence and suicide, and numerous reports have emerged linking use of SSRIs directly to crime and suicide.

On October 15, 2004, the FDA issued a public health advisory stating that all antidepressant drugs will now carry “black box” warnings on their labels, alerting physicians and others to the increased risk of suicide they pose to children and adolescents.

An analysis of the SSRIs showed that the risk of such adverse events as having suicidal thoughts was twice as great for young patients on antidepressants as it was for those on placebo. The “black box” warning included this point: Antidepressant drugs increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders.

If you and your family have unnecessarily been effected by the sometimes tragic side effects of an anti-depressant, contact our attorneys today to discuss your legal options - free of charge.

Prempro Dangers & Hormone Replacement Therapy

A federal study released July 9, 2002 found that long-term use of Prempro, a hugely popular menopause treatment, leads to increased risk of breast cancer, heart disease, and strokes. Other studies released since that time have demonstrated a risk between estrogen only hormone therapy and ovarian cancer, and have substantiated the findings of the WHI investigators.

While drug manufacturer Wyeth Laboratories has no plans at present to recall Prempro, new guidelines have been issued which advises that Prempro should not be taken to prevent heart disease. The guidelines also caution against long-term use due to the risk of breast cancer, and the recommended dosages have been cut in half.