Defective Drugs

Defective Drug Lawyers in Florida

Modern technology has increased the pharmaceutical distribution of drugs that can treat and cure illnesses and boost a greater quality of life. However, instead of helping, some drug manufacturer prescriptions end up causing much greater harm than good. Unsafe or recalled drugs may cause serious side effects that could contribute to serious injuries and could even be life-threatening. If taking a defective or bad drug has harmed you, defective drug lawyers in Florida may be able to help you get compensation for medical bills, hospitalization, lost wages, and damages.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by a dangerous drug, Burnetti, P.A. can help you seek justice. Call (888) 444-8508 or reach out to us online today for a free consultation.

Bad Drugs On The Market

The purpose of prescription drugs is to benefit the consumer. Yet sometimes prescription drugs are released to the public without proper testing. Pharmaceutical companies motivated by profit could choose to cover up the dangerous or deadly side effects by not warning consumers as soon as concerns are identified. Regrettably, it may be too late for some consumers before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can investigate and recall the bad drugs. Moreover, despite FDA testing, prescription drugs may have serious side effects caused by prescription errors, improper warning labels, or pharmaceutical drug interactions.

Top 10 Frightening Side Effects

Negative side effects from a prescription drug can include, but are not limited to:

  1. Blood Clots
  2. Depression
  3. Pulmonary Embolism
  4. Stroke
  5. Heart Attack
  6. Kidney Damage
  7. High Blood Pressure
  8. Birth Defects
  9. Gastrointestinal Problems
  10. Loss of Life

The severity of the side effects could depend on various factors, such as:

  • The type of drug
  • The dosage of the drug
  • The length of the prescription
  • The patient’s medical history

Florida Dangerous Drug Lawsuits

Medical treatments carry certain risks, however, pharmaceutical companies are responsible for testing the product for any adverse side effects and clearly listing and relaying that information to the consumer. The drug’s benefits should outweigh the risks and side effects. Experienced drug litigation lawyers at Burnetti, P.A. may be able to advocate on your behalf and hold the pharmaceutical company accountable.

Burnetti, P.A. Dangerous Drug Attorneys Advocating For Your Rights

If you have suffered serious side effects due to an unsafe drug or a defective medical device, defective drug lawyers in Orlando can evaluate your claim and file a defective drug lawsuit, negotiate a settlement, and if necessary, take your case to trial.

While using any prescription drug, surgical implant or medical device may have side effects, consumers have a reasonable expectation that a prescription drug or device should be more helpful than harmful. Unfortunately, some patients are prescribed drugs or devices that are dangerous or brought to market before they are tested for long-term complications.

This may result in severe side effects or even loss of life. At Burnetti, P.A., our affiliated drug litigation attorneys are prepared to hold the pharmaceutical companies accountable when the results of taking the drug are more harmful than helpful to consumers.

Defective And Dangerous Pharmaceutical Products

Burnetti, P.A.’s affiliate drug injury lawyers advocate for the rights of consumers harmed by prescription drugs, surgical implants or medical devices, including:

  • Accutane
  • Actos
  • Androgel
  • Antidepressants – Birth Defects
  • Avandia
  • Bextra
  • Bisphosphonates
  • Defective Drugs
  • Digitek (Digoxin)
  • Effexor
  • Fentanyl Patch
  • GranuFlo and NaturaLyte
  • Injectable Steroids
  • Invokana
  • Levaquin
  • Lexapro
  • Prozac
  • Raptiva
  • Reglan
  • Triad Alcohol Prep Pads
  • Trasylol
  • Xarelto
  • Yasmin & Yaz
  • Zocor
  • Zoloft

Injuries Caused By Defective Drugs

Despite testing by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), prescription drugs may cause serious or even life-threatening side effects caused by:

  • Defective medical devices
  • Pharmaceutical drug interactions
  • Surgical implant failure
  • Improper warning labels
  • Prescription errors

The severity of the side effects depends on many different factors, including:

  • The type of drug, device or implant
  • How much was taken (dosage)
  • How long was the prescription taken
  • Did the patient immediately stop taking the medication after they started experiencing side effects
  • The patient’s medical history (including other prescribed medications)

Some of the most frequent side effects caused by defective drugs include:

  • Osteoporosis
  • Blood clots
  • Depression
  • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
  • High blood pressure
  • Pulmonary embolism
  • Heart attack
  • Gastrointestinal problems
  • Stroke
  • Liver problems
  • Kidney damage
  • Birth defects
  • Death

Zoloft Lawsuit

Infants suffering birth defects resulting from their mothers’ taking Zoloft also known as Sertraline may be entitled to seek compensation for their injuries by filing a Zoloft lawsuit against Pfizer, the makers of the antidepressant.

If you believe that the antidepressant medication Zoloft has harmed your child, a Florida Zoloft lawyer may be able to help you file a Zoloft lawsuit and pursue a claim for damages. For more information, call (888) 444-8508.

Birth Defects From Zoloft

Zoloft antidepressant medications are a part of the class of drugs called serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

In addition to Zoloft another brand name SSRI’s include:

  • Paxil
  • Celexa
  • Effexor
  • Lexapro
  • Pristiq
  • Prozac

The FDA issued a Public Health Advisory on December 8, 2005 warning that use of certain antidepressants during the first trimester of pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of heart birth defects. The advisory was based on U.S. and Swedish studies showing that exposure to certain antidepressants increased the risk of cardiac defects, including atrial and ventricular septal defects, conditions in which the wall between the right and left sides of the heart is not completely developed.

In July 2006 the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an alert that SSRIs were linked to an increased risk of neonatal persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) which is “associated with significant morbidity and mortality.” Other reported side effects linked to Zoloft include:

  • Anencephaly
  • Club foot
  • Craniosynostosis
  • Omphalocele
  • Serotonin Syndrome
  • Spina bifida

Zoloft Facts

Pfizer introduced Zoloft to the market in 1991 for use as an antidepressant, as well as in treating obsessive-compulsive, panic, and social anxiety disorders in children and adults. It was the most prescribed antidepressant in the United States in 2007, with nearly 30 million prescriptions written.

Florida Zoloft Lawyers

If your child has suffered birth defects from Zoloft, a defective drugs attorney may be able to pursue a Zoloft lawsuit on your behalf. For more information, call (888) 444-8508 or fill out the free case evaluation form.

Lexapro Lawsuits Florida

Infants suffering birth defects resulting from their mothers’ taking Lexapro, also known as Escitalopram, may be entitled to seek compensation for their injuries by filing a Lexapro lawsuit against Lundbeck, the makers of the antidepressant. If you believe that the antidepressant medication Lexapro has harmed your child, a Florida Lexapro lawyer may be able to help you file a Lexapro lawsuit and pursue a claim for damages. For more information, call (888) 444-8508.

Birth Defects from Lexapro are one of the latest in a series of anti-depressant side effects that are being studied. This is a cause of concern more because many of the side effects related to the class of drugs to which Lexapro belongs include side effects like miscarriage, cardiac defects, cleft lip and palate, clubfoot, limb defects, and more.

Lexapro belongs to a class of drugs known as SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor). The drug is prescribed to treat major depression and general anxiety disorder.

Birth Defects From Lexapro

Lexapro antidepressant medications and other SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) have reportedly been linked to a possible risk of certain birth defects. The following are reported birth defects from Lexapro:

  • Septal Heart Defects
  • Omphalocele
  • Limb defects
  • Anal Atresia
  • Aortic Stenosis
  • Club Foot
  • Coarctation of the Aorta
  • Craniosynostosis – cranial skill defect
  • Esophageal Stenosis
  • Gastroschisis – abdominal wall defect
  • Heart Murmur
  • Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)
  • Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome (HRHS)
  • Mitral Valve
  • Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
  • Pulmonary Atresia
  • Pulmonary Stenosis
  • Spina Bifida
  • Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)
  • Transposition of the Great Arteries / Vessels
  • Tricuspid Atresia
  • Tricuspid Valve (Ebstein’s Anomaly)
  • Tricuspid Valve Stenosis
  • Truncus Arteriosus
  • Valve Problems – malformed or stuck and won’t close
  • Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of Newborns (PPHN)

The FDA issued a Public Health Advisory on December 8, 2005 warning that use of certain antidepressants during the first trimester of pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of heart birth defects. The advisory was based on U.S. and Swedish studies showing that exposure to certain antidepressants increased the risk of cardiac defects, including atrial and ventricular septal defects, conditions in which the wall between the right and left sides of the heart is not completely developed.

The FDA released a Health Advisory on July 19, 2006, alerting women to the risks associated with taking SSRIs while pregnant. The advisory was based on a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine that found that mothers who took SSRIs such as Lexapro during the second half of their pregnancy were six times more likely to have a baby with Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in the Newborn (PPHN) than those who did not take SSRIs late in pregnancy.

Lexapro Facts

Lundbeck introduced Lexapro to the market in 2001 for use as an antidepressant, as well as in treating major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, and certain anxiety disorders.

Digitek Lawyer Florida

Digitek (Digoxin Tablets) Recalled By Pharmaceutical Company

Digitek, a generic version of Digoxin, is used to treat heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms, helping the heart contract and beat more efficiently. In April 2008, Actavis Totowa LLC, a United States manufacturing division of the pharmaceutical company Actavis Group, initiated a Class 1 nationwide recall of the prescription.

The Digitek recall was issued because of the possibility that pills with double the approved thickness and twice the approved level of active ingredient were marketed to the public. Distributed by Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., under a “Bertek” label and by UDL Laboratories, Inc. under a “UDL” label, the tablets may cause harmful side effects to some patients.

Digitek Side Effects

In patients that have renal (kidney) failure, the existence of the double strength tablets poses a risk of digitalis toxicity. Digitalis (Digoxin) toxicity may cause:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Low blood pressure
  • Cardiac instability
  • Bradycardia (a slower than normal heart rate)
  • Death

Yaz & Yasmin Lawsuit

Women harmed by Yaz, Yasmin, or its generic version Ocella may be entitled to seek compensation for their injuries by filing a lawsuit against Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, the makers of the contraceptives.

If you believe that you have been harmed by the birth control pills Yaz, Yasmin or Ocella, a birth control lawyer may be able to help you pursue a claim for damages. For more information, call (888) 444-8508.

Why Yaz And Yasmin Are Different Than Other Birth Control Pills

Yaz and Yasmin birth control pills differ from other oral contraceptives because they contain drospirenone. Drospirenone causes elevated blood levels of potassium which may lead to serious health problems. Yasmin and Yaz have been under heavy scrutiny for possible links in serious side effects including:

  • Stroke
  • Pulmonary embolism (PE)
  • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
  • Heart attack
  • Blood clots
  • Gall bladder disease
  • Liver failure
  • Kidney failure
  • Pancreatitis
  • Elevated potassium levels
  • Death

Birth Control Advertising

Television and print ads for Yasmin and Yaz have resulted in several warnings from the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) because the manufacturer exaggerated the benefits and downplayed the many potential complications. Bayer agreed to spend $20 million to correct misinformation in prior direct-to-consumer advertisements, and also agreed to submit future Yasmin and Yaz ads to the FDA for approval prior to their release.

Yasmin & Yaz Lawsuit

Yasmin has been one of the most popular oral contraceptives since its release on May 11, 2001, with sales topping $370 million in 2007. Together, sales for Yasmin and Yaz (both manufactured by Bayer) totaled over $1.2 billion in 2008. Despite its popularity, these birth control pills are now involved in multiple federal lawsuits because of the additional risks compared to other birth control pills.

Recently, several product liability lawsuits have been filed throughout the U.S. on behalf of women who have developed serious medical problems after using Yasmin and Yaz. All of the lawsuits have been consolidated under MDL 2100 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.

Androgel – Testosterone Therapy

Recent studies revealed that men over the age of 63 who take testosterone therapy are twice as likely to suffer a heart attack. The risk almost tripled in younger men who also had a history of heart disease. While testosterone therapies can have certain health benefits, such as enhanced facial hair and masculine features in men, doctors may be prescribing therapies to men whose testosterone levels have not been tested, unnecessarily exposing them to the higher risk of cardiovascular complications and heart attacks. If you have suffered a serious complication from testosterone therapy, testosterone therapy lawsuit lawyers in Florida may be able to help.

What Is Testosterone Therapy?

Testosterone therapy helps to treat low testosterone blood levels, producing improved strength, libido, and muscle mass in men who suffer from fatigue, low sex drive, and other symptoms. Common testosterone therapies are:

  • Androgel
  • Bio-T-Gel
  • Delatestryl
  • Fortesta
  • Testim
  • Testopel

Testosterone Therapy Statistics

In 2011, 3.3 million prescriptions for testosterone therapy were prescribed by doctors, five times the amount of prescriptions from 2000. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, from 2001 to 2011, the number of adult males taking testosterone therapy tripled and results in 1.6 billion dollars each year.

Petitions For Black Box Label

Consumer groups are petitioning for the Food and Drug Administration to add a Black Box label, the highest warning label, on testosterone therapy medications. While many drug makers are marketing testosterone therapy to a younger audience, others are pushing for rigorous clinical trials about the medication’s risks and want doctors to clearly explain the risk to men who are interested in testosterone therapy drugs, especially those who may have existing cardiovascular complications.

What If I Suffer A Heart Attack Due To Testosterone Therapy?

Drug makers should state the complications and side effects a medication contains on the drug’s label. If you were not warned about the serious side effects and risks of a heart attack and suffered one while on testosterone therapy, you may be able to file a dangerous drug lawsuit. Testosterone therapy lawsuit lawyers in Florida may be able to help you obtain compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Contact testosterone therapy lawsuit lawyers at (888) 444-8508 for a free case evaluation.

Invokana Lawsuit

Diabetes drug Invokana, which belongs to a medication class known as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, was designed to treat type 2 diabetes. However, in May 2015, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning that Invokana and other SGLT2 medications may put patients at a higher risk for ketoacidosis, which if untreated can cause diabetic coma or death. If you suffered serious side effects from Invokana or developed ketoacidosis, contact an Invokana lawsuit attorney to better understand your rights.

Drug Maker Fails To Issue Warning

According to The New York Times, there are over 400,000 dialysis patients in the United States. The main supplier of dialysis equipment and products is Fresenius Medical Care (FMC) who treats more than one-third of dialysis patients in nearly 6,000 treatment centers. In 2012, the FDA issued a Class I recall, the highest and most serious recall warning, for GranuFlo and NaturaLyte due to reports of serious health consequences and deaths linked to the dialysis chemical treatments. FMC did not immediately report the dangers to medical professionals administering the drugs and failed to issue a GranuFlo recall and NaturaLyte recall or notify the FDA after risks were discovered. When the FDA anonymously received an FMC internal report an investigation ensued. During the time period between FMC’s knowledge of GranuFlo and NaturaLyte’s serious health dangers and the actual recall, almost half a million patients could have suffered adverse health consequences and/or death.

GranuFlo And NaturaLyte Side Effects

It is estimated that dialysis patients who received a high level of bicarbonate treatments are six times more likely to suffer cardiac arrest and/or death than those with lower levels. Patients prescribed with improper dosages of GranuFlo and NaturaLyte could experience:

  • Metabolic alkalosis
  • Low blood pressure
  • Hypercapnia
  • Cardiac arrhythmia
  • Cardiopulmonary arrest
  • Hypokalemia
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Death

Trasylol

Trasylol, also known as aprotinin, is a prescription drug manufactured by Bayer Corporation. Prescribed to patients undergoing open heart, hip replacement, and other major surgeries, Trasylol reduces bleeding during operations. Studies have shown though that harmful side effects linked to Trasylol can outweigh the benefits in some patients.

According to the national news show 60 Minutes, “Bayer marketed Trasylol aggressively until it was used in about one-third of all cardiac bypass operations in America.”

If you have suffered side effects from Trasylol, or if a loved one has lost their life after taking the drug, you may be eligible to file a claim against the manufacturer. The United States Food & Drug Administration approved Trasylol in 1993, even though researchers had identified a possible link between the drug and kidney failure as early as the 1980’s.

After several years of reports indicating its dangerous side effects, Bayer AG finally pulled Trasylol from the market in 2007. Several studies found that patients who received Trasylol during this time were more likely to suffer kidney failure and increased risk of heart attacks, heart failure, strokes, coma, and encephalopathy (a disorder or disease of the brain) than patients who received other types of therapies.

Contact Your Local Attorneys For More Information About Defective Drugs Lawsuits

Patients undergoing dialysis have already been subject to many medical procedures. The serious risks and side effects of GranuFlo and NaturaLyte only expel the pain and suffering. If you have experienced severe side effects or experienced the death of a loved one due to GranuFlo and NaturaLyte, GranuFlo dialysis lawsuit attorneys may be able to help you during this difficult time.

For more information, please call (888) 444-8508 or fill out a free case evaluation.

What Sets Us Apart?

Reasons to Trust Burnetti, P.A. with Your Case
  • A Proven Record of Results

    We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients, including many multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements.

  • A Culture of Customer Service

    We treat all of our clients like family, requiring regular calls to clients in an effort to promote the best possible client experience.

  • Decades of Unwavering Service

    Our firm has proudly served injured people throughout the state of Florida for 30 years, and we're just getting started.

  • A Network of Support

    We help clients find doctors, deal with insurance companies and recover compensation for medical bills and lost wages.

Our Testimonials

Hear From Clients Across the State of Florida
  • “I highly recommend Burnetti P.A. as a great and caring law firm.”

    - Michelle M.
  • “They are the best I would recommend them to everybody.”

    - Jeannette D.
  • “They made sure that I was getting my equal justice. This team was amazing!”

    - Gerard E.
  • “The settlement he got for me was far above my expectations.”

    - Evelyn B. R.
  • “I can’t speak highly enough about my experience with Burnetti, PA.”

    - Chuck S.
/

Contact Burnetti, P.A.

Request a Free Legal Consultation
  • Please enter your first name.
  • Please enter your last name.
  • Please enter your phone number.
    This isn't a valid phone number.
  • Please enter your email address.
    This isn't a valid email address.
  • Please make a selection.
  • Please enter a message.