4 Pharmaceuticals that Have Caused Wrongful Injury or Illness

Despite the best efforts and vigilance of the Food and Drug Administration, sometimes pharmaceutical drugs that make it to the market are later found to be dangerous to consumers and may cause wrongful injury or illness in some users. Just because a pharmaceutical drug is on the market doesn’t mean that it is safe for everyone. Here are some examples of pharmaceuticals that have caused wrongful injury or illness in users:

Abilify

Abilify is a drug that is used to treat multiple mental and mood disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and irritability associated autism. However, some patients using Abilify have experienced serious and unexpected side effects resulting from its use. Side effects of Abilify include uncontrollable and excessive urges, the most common of which is compulsive gambling. This problem can lead to decreased quality of life as well as severe financial hardship.

Lyrica

Created in order to treat symptoms associated with nerve pain, Lyrica has been found to cause suicidal thoughts and attempts in some users. Additionally, Lyrica maker Pfizer promoted off-label use of the drug until 2009; the company had to pay a $2.3 billion settlement for violations under the False Claim Act.

Zofran

Zofran is a drug designed to treat nausea and vomiting. The medication is primarily given to patients with cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. It is sometimes also prescribed to patients who are suffering from severe nausea. However, the manufacturer marketed the drug to treat morning sickness in pregnant women – even though it had not been tested or approved for this purpose. Unfortunately, the drug hindered normal growth in fetuses, causing children to be born with birth defects.  

Zyprexa

Zyprexa was created to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; it is sometimes used to treat depression when other medications haven’t worked. Zyprexa has caused diabetes in some patients who experience increased levels of fat in their blood as well as high blood sugar as a result of the medication.

After Experiencing Wrongful Injury or Illness

Medications should help us, not hurt us. If you or someone you care about has experienced wrongful injury or illness after taking a prescription drug, you should seek out the help of an experienced legal advisor who can help you to examine your options.