Defective and Dangerous Medication Lawsuits

Drug manufacturers have a duty to make sure that medications they sell are not unreasonably dangerous and contain sufficient warnings about dangerous side effects so that physicians and patients can evaluate the risks and benefits before taking the medication. In many cases pharmaceutical companies fail to take simple steps to protect consumers when they place profits before people’s safety.

Side effect lawsuits are investigated nationwide for users of the following medications who suffered an injury. To review a potential case for yourself, a friend or family member, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

  • Belviq

    Belviq (Lorcaserin) is a weight-loss drug developed by Arena Pharmaceuticals. In 2020, the FDA issued a recall due to increased risk of developing lung, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer.

  • Beovu

    Beovu (brolucizumab) was introduced by Novartis in October 2019, as an injection to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, early warnings provide by the drug maker failed to disclose that users may face a risk of suffering severe and potentially blinding vision problems.

  • Depakote

    Depakote, which was approved in 1983, is used to treat epilepsy and, in some cases, depression. However, use Depakote during pregnancy may result in severe birth defects including autism, malformed limbs, spina bifida, cleft-palate and other severe health problems.

  • Diabetes Drugs (Byetta / Victoza / Januvia / Janumet)

    Byetta, Victoza, Januvia and Janumet are all type II diabetes medications that are part of a class of drugs known as incretin mimetics. Use of the drugs has been linked to a risk of pancreatitis, which may cause some users to develop pancreatic cancer.

  • Elmiron

    Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate sodium) was introduced by Janssen Pharmaceuticals in 1996, as a treatment interstitial cytisis or bladder pain syndrome. Reports of vision loss and other eye disease have been linked to Elmiron.

  • HIV Drugs

    HIV medications containing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) have been linked to cases of kidney disease, kidney failure, bone density loss, fractures and other side effects, which may have been avoided. Cases are being pursued for individuals who experienced side effects from Truvada, Atripla, Viread, Complera or Stribild.

  • Injectafer

    Injectafer (ferric carboxymaltose or FCM) is an iron infusion treatment for Iron Deficiency Anemia. It may cause dangerous drops in blood phosphorous levels called hypophosphatemia (HPP), resulting in serious injuries or hospitalization.

  • Invokana

    Invokana (canagliflozin) was introduced by Johnson & Johnson in March 2013, as a powerful new type II diabetes medication. However, it has been linked to potential life-threatening risks including kidney failure, diabetic ketoacidosis and other kidney problems.

  • Mirena

    The Mirena IUD (Intra-Uterine Device) was introduced by Bayer and approved by the FDA in 2000 as a long-acting form of birth control that is implanted into the uterus. However, many women have suffered severe complications where Mirena IUD perforated the uterus and migrated to other areas of the body.

  • Paragard

    The Paragard IUD is a small T-shaped plastic device wrapped in copper wires, which many women have implanted in their uterus as a form of long-acting birth control. Due to an unreasonably dangerous and defective design, the Paragard IUD is prone to fracture and break during removal procedures, leaving women with painful and permanent injuries.

  • Tepezza

    Tepezza is a drug that was approved by the FDA in 2020, as the only treatment available for individuals with thyroid eye disease, which is caused by hyperthyroidism and linked to Graves’ disease. However, recent studies have shown that Tepezza infusions may cause permanent hearing loss and Tinnitus (ringing of the ears).

  • Tylenol

    Tylenol and other pain and fever medications containing acetaminophen have been advertised as a safe alternative for pregnant women for decades. However, recent studies have shown the use of the painkiller during pregnancy may cause children to develop autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

  • Uloric

    Uloric (febuxostat) was introduced by Takeda Pharmaceuticals in 2009, and aggressively marketed for treatment of gout. In February 2019, the FDA required a new “boxed” warning about the increased risk of cardiovascular events and death on Uloric when compared to use of the other gout drugs.

  • Valsartan

    In July 2018, the FDA announced a nationwide recall was issued for certain versions of generic valsartan and valsartan HCTZ, (a hypertension drug) after it was discovered that they may be contaminated with an impurity known as N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which is a known human carcinogen. Cases are being reviewed for those affected.

  • Viagra/Cialis

    Viagra (sildenafil citrate) is one of the most widely recognized brand name drugs, used for men experiencing erectile dysfunction. Studies have shown men taking Viagra may face an increased risk of developing melanoma skin cancer.

  • Xeljanz

    Xeljanz (tofacitinib) is the first member of a new class of drugs, which has been approved for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ulcerative colitis. However, it now appears that the drug maker failed to adequately warn about the increased the risk of dangerous and potentially life-threatening blood clots in the lungs and other injuries.

  • Zofran

    Zofran (ondansetron) is an anti-nausea and vomiting medication that has been prescribed off-label for morning sickness in pregnant women. the drug maker has placed their desire for profits before consumer safety by reckless promoting and encouraging the off-label use of Zofran for morning sickness, while withholding information about the risk of birth defects.

  • Zantac

    Zantac (ranitidine) contains NDMA, which may increase the risk of cancer among humans exposed to high levels over a short-term, or low levels over a long-term. The dangers of this chemical have been known for more than 40 years.

  • Zostavax

    Zostavax is a live varicella zoster virus (VZV) vaccine, which was the first available injection for prevention of shingles among older adults. Although the shingles vaccine was marketed as safe and effective, increasing evidence suggests that side effects of Zostavax may actual cause the infection it is designed to prevent.

Previously Investigated Drugs:

The drug injury lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. previously reviewed and investigated potential claims for users of the following medications. New cases are no longer being accepted for users of these medications at this time, but the following pages are available for informational purposes.