FDA & Prescription Drugs

• Deaths linked to Ketek prompt FDA discussion

  Staff Writer | November 24, 2006 9:34 AM | 0 CommentsMontgomery, AL

  A USA Today article last week showcases the problems associated with a drug called Ketek, which has been known to cause serious liver damage and death. The antibiotic Ketek (telithromycin) carries a warning with it about the reports of liver failure, severe injury and death associated with the drug. Through April, the FDA received at least a dozen reports of acute liver failure, including four...

• Antibiotics ineffective in beating bronchitis

  Staff Writer | November 24, 2006 9:21 AM | 0 CommentsMobile, AL

  An interesting article on Healthday.com discusses a study out of Virginia Commonwealth University in which two physicians looked at research studies, clinical trials and other information related to bronchitis, and determined that antibiotics don't actually help these patients. "Physicians should be encouraged to avoid antibiotics in most cases," said Dr. Richard P. Wenzel, chairman of the...

• Antibiotics associated with tendon rupture

  Staff Writer | November 23, 2006 9:10 AM | 0 CommentsMobile, AL

  A group called Public Citizen filed a petition to the FDA in August 2006, urging them to issue a warning about the risks of tendon rupture associated with certain antibiotics called fluoroquinolone antibiotics. One example of this type of drug is ciproflaxacin (Cipro). An article on worstpills.org provides the details:Between November 1997 and the end of December 2005, 794 cases of...

• New ADHD drug warnings from FDA

  Staff Writer | November 23, 2006 8:58 AM | 0 CommentsMontgomery, AL

  Today many doctors are prescribing drugs to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. In August 2006 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued stronger warnings for these drugs, especially with regard to amphetamine-containing ADHD drugs and the possibility of sudden death or serious cardiovascular problems. The most serious change applies to amphetamine-containing...

• Merck Seeks to Block FDA Whistle Blower's Testimony

  Staff Writer | November 22, 2006 10:40 AM | 0 CommentsMobile, AL

  Dr. David Graham's testimony for federal Vioxx trials "goes beyond anything he has said previously and shouldn't be heard by jurors," said Merck's attorneys. Graham alleged that the drug maker dragged its feet about adding a warning label and that Vioxx should not have even been approved when it was. A hearing is scheduled for later this week to decide what part of his depositions will be...

• FDA requires new information with Coumadin

  Staff Writer | November 22, 2006 8:44 AM | 0 CommentsMontgomery, AL

  In October 2006 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a new drug requirement with all new and refill prescriptions of the blood thinner warfarin (brand name Coumadin). The FDA now requires an agency-approved written Medication Guide, with important information about interactions and other dangers involved with taking Coumadin. According to a report on worstpills.org, warfarin...

• New study links drugs to liver damage

  Staff Writer | November 22, 2006 8:22 AM | 0 CommentsMobile, AL

  According to the Parmaceutical Business Review online, a study out of Washington University School of Medicine shows that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) can increase liver damage in patients. Here are some details of the study:Using an experimental mouse model of the disorder, the researchers investigated the effects of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) on liver...

• Emergency rooms plagued by drug reactions

  Staff Writer | November 13, 2006 3:38 PM | 0 CommentsMontgomery, AL

  According to a recent article in the Winston-Salem Journal, many ER visits each year result from bad reactions to drugs such as Coumadin (warfarin), a much-prescribed anticoagulant or bloodthinner, and others. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Consumer Products Safety Commission and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently conducted a surveillance program of emergency rooms....

• Acetaminophen recall causes concern

  Staff Writer | November 13, 2006 3:14 PM | 0 CommentsMobile, AL

  Last week the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled 11 million bottles of acetaminophen, sold as store brands at CVS Pharmacy, Wal-Mart and more than 120 other retailers nationwide. The 500 mg caplets made by Perrigo Corp. of Michigan were pulled from the shelves because of the possibility that they might contain metal fragments. A story out of the Montgomery Advertiser reports further...

• Merck's general counsel gets a raise

  Staff Writer | November 06, 2006 10:41 AM | 0 CommentsMontgomery, AL

  The Philadelphia Inquirer reported today that drug maker Merck & Company's general counsel just earned a promotion and 13 percent raise to $780,000 a year. The general counsel has been instrumental in the company's defense against more than 21,000 Vioxx lawsuits. The defective drug Vioxx was recalled after it was reported to cause heart attacks, strokes, blood clots and other dangerous medical...