Posted in Firm News, Product Liability on February 8, 2016

At Maloney & Campolo, we keep a vigilant eye on the on the pharmaceutical and medical device markets. While modern advances have improved the quality of life of countless people around the world, every year there are patients who are hurt by these products—patients who deserve to have their injuries answered for by the manufacturers, marketers, and medical professionals who put them in harm’s way. As we make our way into 2016, a few products on the market continue to distinguish themselves.

Our firm is currently pursuing leads against the following products:

Invokana (Type 2 diabetes medication)

Invokana is supposed to help those with diabetes regulate their sugar, but instead has proven to cause a harmful build-up of acid in the bloodstream. In all reported cases, symptoms of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, and difficulty breathing appeared roughly two weeks after taking a first dose. The FDA has urged that patients taking this kind of medication (SGLT2 inhibitors) who are experiencing symptoms to seek immediate medical attention.

AndroGel (testosterone replacement product)

AndroGel and other testosterone replacement products have now shown that some users experience an increased risk of cardiovascular events, such as strokes and heart attacks. Numerous lawsuits against AndroGel maker Abbot and AbbVie cite that the manufacturers failed to warn consumers of these adverse health effects.

Zofran (morning sickness medication)

When it was discovered that Zofran could help pregnant women with morning-sickness, doctors and marketers began to push the drug on expecting mothers. Unfortunately, Zofran had never been approved by the FDA for pregnant women and birth defects, such as cleft lip/palate and congenital heart defects, resulted from many Zofran prescriptions. The makers of Zofran have already paid a $2 billion settlement for illegally marketing the drug, but more and more victims continue to come forward.

Bair Hugger (orthopedic surgery device)

The Bair Hugger was, up until recently, a common hospital device used to keep patients warm during orthopedic surgery. However, when a number of patients later developed serious infections, it was found that the Bair Hugger was to blame. The inventor of the device has admitted that the Bair Hugger is faulty and victims have come forward to file claims to account for their infections. It is estimated that roughly 80% of hospitals continue to use the blanket device, despite mounting evidence that it fosters infections in a sterile surgical environment.

Risperdal (antipsychotic medication)

Risperdal was once heralded as a promising new treatment for children and adults who suffered from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism. However, for some younger patients, the drug proved to be volatile and caused the abnormal development of breasts and juvenile diabetes. Manufacturer records show that the drug developers knew of the risks that it posed, but released the drug to public without the proper warning label anyway.

Viagra (erectile dysfunction medication)

Viagra has become a household name, but the serious side-effects it’s been linked to remain seldom-talked-about. The “little blue pill” has been proven to cause heart attacks, skin cancer, and Non-Arthritic Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION), which results in vision issues.

Essure (permanent birth control system)

The Essure Permanent Birth Control System involves two metal coils that are implanted in the patient’s fallopian tubes. The maker, Bayer, claims that the system is nearly 100% effective, but thousands of women have claimed that device has actually injured them. Perforated organs, severe pelvic pain, and even autoimmune diseases have been linked to Essure and, in a few cases, unwanted pregnancies and deaths have occurred.

If you or a loved one has been injured by any of these medications or products, then we invite you to contact us at the Law Offices of Maloney & Campolo today. Our dedicated team of San Antonio pharmaceutical lawsuit attorneys have recovered more than $150 million for clients who have been harmed by the negligence of others—including product manufacturers.

Start exploring your legal options with a team of proven advocates. Use our online form to request a free case evaluation today.