Health

Explore legal and safety stories that affect health across Texas and the nation. From dangerous drugs and defective medical devices to hospital safety and patient rights, we highlight how the law protects our well-being and holds negligent parties accountable.

Urgent Recall For Digitek (Digoxin)

A class I recall is being issued for all Digitek (digoxin) medications, because they might have twice the approved levels of digoxin. Double-strength pills can cause digitalis toxicity, which can…

By The Legal Examiner

/ 13 May 2008

Several Drugs Found to be Linked to Suicide

Suicide has been linked to several medicines over the past few years. Some of these include Accutane, Chantix, Singular and Paxil. The Food and Drug Administration has received reports on at least…

By The Legal Examiner

/ 8 May 2008

FDA Links Deaths to Defective Blood Thinner Heparin

The FDA has raised its estimate of the number of people who may have died from allergic reactions to Chinese-produced batches of Heperin to 62 people. According to the Washington Post, 47 of the 62…

By The Legal Examiner

/ 1 May 2008

Chemotherapy Drug Causes Cognitive Problems

A study published in today’s Journal of Biology discovered exactly how the chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) causes memory problems, cognitive difficulties and an effect called "chemo brain"…

By The Legal Examiner

/ 22 Apr 2008

New WellPoint System to Identify Drug Problems

With the number of drug recalls, adverse reactions and other issues involving over-the-counter and prescription medications, WellPoint Inc is developing a system to more quickly uncover health risks…

By The Legal Examiner

/ 15 Apr 2008

Pfizer: Inhaled Insulin Linked to Lung Cancer

Clinical trials of Exubera, an inhaled insulin product, found increased cases of lung cancer among those using the product. Originally projected by Pfizer to reign in multi-billion dollar profits,…

By The Legal Examiner

/ 9 Apr 2008

Actavis Recalling Remaining Lots of Fentanol Pain Patches

Actavis Inc has recalled all remaining lots of Fentanyl Pain Patches. As with the previous recalls, there may be a defect that could cause fentanyl to leak directly to the skin of the patient or caregiver and cause an Fentanyl overdose. Fentanyl overdose could cause difficulty breating or even death

By The Legal Examiner

/ 3 Mar 2008

More Fentanyl Pain Patches Recalled

Another Fentanyl pain patch has been recalled today due to the risk of accidental Fentanyl overdose. Activis Inc. has recalled 14 lots of its Fentanyl transdermal system CII patches as a cautionary measure. Fentanyl transdermal patches (sold as Duragesic) are prescribed to treat severe chronic pain

By The Legal Examiner

/ 20 Feb 2008

Adverse Reactions Spur Recall of Baxter Heparin Vials

Heparin Sodium Injection Vials were recalled due to an increase in adverse Heparin reactions. Baxter has received 100 reports of reactions and is looking into one death that may be linked to the Baxter Heparin recall.A variety of Heparin-caused reactions have been reported such as burning sensation,

By The Legal Examiner

/ 29 Jan 2008

Aranesp , Epogen, and Procrit Linked to Increased Tumor Growth

The FDA informed healthcare professionals of findings from two additional clinical studies, Preoperative Epirubicin Paclitaxel Aranesp Study, and the National Cancer Institute Gynecologic Oncology Group, showing an increase in mortality and shorter time to tumor progression in patients with cancer r

By The Legal Examiner

/ 4 Jan 2008

Adderall, Ritalin, ADHD Drugs Linked to Heart Issues

Adderall, Ritalin and other ADHD treatments have been linked to hundreds of yearly ER visits with heart related symptoms, a new study says. This latest study of ADHD drugs was the first to look at potential heart problems linked to the medications since the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) updated t

By The Legal Examiner

/ 12 Dec 2007

More Reports of Chantix Negative Effects

The Food and Drug Administration announced last they are finally looking into Chantix, a stop smoking medication, to find out how dangerous it might be.Since the report of Carter Albrecht’s unusual behavior and death while taking Chantix, hundreds of other Chantix patients have spoken up about the e

By The Legal Examiner

/ 29 Nov 2007