Defective Drug Lawyers: Permax, Rezulin, Fen Phen, Prozac Lawsuits

Pharmaceutical companies are required to ensure that their products are safe and effective prior to marketing them to the public. This is why every new medical product has to undergo a thorough review process in order to secure an approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Occasionally, drugs that have been deemed safe by the FDA later prove to be dangerous. Depending on the severity of the problem, the FDA might issue a warning or demand a complete product recall. In addition, victims of defective pharmaceuticals may be entitled to compensation for their physical, emotional and financial anguish experienced as a result of taking faulty drugs.

As one of the highly regarded Miami personal injury law firms, the Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary specializes in helping victims of defective drugs hold pharmaceutical companies liable for personal injury and other damages caused by their products. Mr. Cleary is experienced at both pre-trial negotiations and at presenting personal injury cases before the jury, and he uses both strategies to maximize compensation for victims of defective drugs.

Permax Recall: Heart Valve Disease

In 2007, the FDA issued a recall of Permax (peroglide), a drug prescribed to Parkinson's patients and those suffering from the Restless Leg Syndrome. First introduced in 1989, Permax and its generic versions have been prescribed to more than 500,000 people. Unfortunately, this drug has proved to be extremely dangerous as it can cause heart valve disease in Parkinson's patients who take it over an extended period of time. Heart valve disease is a serious medical condition that can lead to death. Because the manufacturer of Permax failed to provide consumers with a safe product and exposed them to a serious risk of personal injury, compensation might be available in many cases.

Rezulin: Liver Failure

A Rezulin recall was issued in 2000 after the FDA learned that this drug had caused liver damage and/or liver failure leading to death of more than 60 people. Manufactured by Warner-Lambert, Rezulin was widely prescribed to treat type II diabetes. In fact, it is estimated that as many as two million people might have been exposed to this drug. Alarmingly, evidence indicates that Warner-Lambert knew about Rezulin's potentially fatal side effects as early as 1993 but chose to downplay the risks. As a result, numerous victims suffered serious personal injury and/or death.

Fen Phen: Heart Valve Disease & PPH

Fen Phen (dexfen phen, Fenfluramine, Phentermine, Dexenfluramine) are a group of anorectic drugs that were prescribed to suppress appetite and help people lose weight. However, in 1997 the Mayo Clinic reported that these pharmaceuticals posed a serious risk for consumers as they were linked to heart valve disease and primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). As a result, the FDA recommended a voluntary withdrawal of these diet drugs from the U.S. market. Unfortunately, thousands of people have been exposed to Fen Phen and the related anorectic drugs and remain at risk of developing serious heart problems. Both heart valve disease and PPH weaken the heart and lungs over time and if these conditions are not detected and treated properly they can lead to death.

Prozac: Suicidal Thoughts & Newborn PPH

Prozac is a popular antidepressant prescribed to millions of people in the United States, including numerous children. Manufactured by Eli Lilly, this drug is used to treat a variety of conditions ranging from anxiety attacks to bulimia. Since its introduction in 1998, the FDA has learned that Prozac can cause suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, as well as a condition affecting newborns called Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN). If the mother has taken Prozac during pregnancy, the newborn baby is at risk of developing PPHN - a condition whereby the child's respiratory system has difficulty adapting to the outside world. An extremely dangerous disease, PPHN can result in permanent injury and lead to death. While the FDA has not issued a recall of Prozac, it has demanded that the manufacturer place a black box warning on the product, the strongest possible cautionary measure.

Contacting Your Miami Defective Drugs Lawyer

A skilled Miami defective drugs attorney, Mr. Cleary will help you determine if compensation may be available to offset medical expenses, physical and emotional distress, and loss of wages. As an experienced Miami wrongful death attorney, he also specializes in helping families who have lost a loved one due to negligence of pharmaceutical companies.

If you, your child or someone you know has become a victim of defective drugs, please contact the Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary today at (305) 416-9805 for a free evaluation.