Latest News About Prempro, Baycol, Zyprexa, More - Risks, Lawsuits, Settlements

Below you will find the latest news about dangerous prescription drugs that are known to cause harmful side effects. Such drugs as Vioxx®, Baycol®, Prempro®, and Zyprexa® have been clinically proven to put patients at an increased level of risk of health issues ranging from cardiac failure and liver failure to diabetes risks. If you have been harmed by a pharmaceutical drug and need more information about lawsuits, settlements, or how to file a side effects claim, contact Gancedo & Nieves for help.

Vioxx® Recall

Merck & Co., Inc. announced a voluntary withdrawal of Vioxx® from the worldwide market September 2, 2004, due to safety concerns of an increased risk of cardiovascular events in patients. The withdrawal is a result of Merck's own long-term study on using Vioxx® to treat patients at risk of developing recurrent colon polyps. The study identified an increased risk of serious cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes, among study patients taking Vioxx compared to patients receiving placebo.

Vioxx® is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) of the class of pain relievers known as COX-2 inhibitors. Vioxx was especially effective in treating arthritis, painful menstrual periods, and other forms of chronic pain.

In June 2000, Merck submitted to the FDA a safety study called VIGOR (Vioxx Gastrointestinal Outcomes Research) that associated the drug with an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, in patients taking Vioxx®. After the FDA reviewed the results of the VIGOR study the organization consulted with its Arthritis Advisory Committee in February 2001 regarding the clinical interpretation of this new safety data. The FDA mandated labeling changes in April 2002 to reflect the findings from the VIGOR study. The labeling changes included information about the increased risk of cardiovascular events.

If you or a loved one has been injured by Vioxx®, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Please contact us to learn more!

Prempro® Settlements

Prempro® is a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) drug that treats the symptoms of menopause in women. However, an extensive study of Prempro® was halted on July 9, 2002 after the prescription drug was found to pose serious health risks such as stroke, heart attack, and breast cancer. The study, known as the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), was in the fifth of a planned eight years when it was terminated. Many lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturer of Prempro® that have resulted in settlements for victims of side effects.

Although there has been debate over the possible health effects of HRT for some time, many women have depended on medications such as Prempro® to help deal with symptoms of menopause. While Prempro® did prove to guard against hip fractures and colorectal cancer, the WHI found that Prempro's risks far outweighed its potential benefits. Prempro® was found to increase a woman's chance of stroke by 41%, cardiovascular disease by 29%, and breast cancer by 26%. These disturbing numbers prompted not only the ending of the WHI Prempro® study, but also led to calls for women to stop using Prempro® by the American Heart Association and the Journal of the American Medical Association.

If you have taken Prempro® or another estrogen-progestin HRT drug, contact your doctor to discuss your options. If you would like more information about Prempro® settlements, lawsuits, and risks, contact Gancedo & Nieves.

Zyprexa® Diabetes Risks

Zyprexa® (Olanzapine), prescribed for schizophrenia and bipolar mania treatment, has been found to cause diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, pancreatitis, and blood sugar disorders. There have been 288 reported diabetes side effects cases in Zyprexa® patients, with 23 of them being fatal. Eli Lilly & Co. is accused of heavily promoting Zyprexa® as a safe and effective drug for psychotic disorders, while virtually concealing the Zyprexa® side effects and diabetes risks from doctors and from the patients themselves. You may have a claim if you have been harmed by Zyprexa®.

Zyprexa® side effects are considered such a risk that in 2002, both the Japanese Health and Welfare Ministry and the Great Britain Medicines Control Agency issued emergency warnings concerning Zyprexa® and diabetes risks. Patients should understand that it could be dangerous to stop taking the medication, especially abruptly, and should talk with their physicians to weigh the benefits and risks of taking Zyprexa®.

If you are concerned about Zyprexa® diabetes risks and are considering filing a Zyprexa® side effects claim, contact the attorneys at Gancedo & Nieves.

Baycol® Lawsuits

From 1997 to mid-2001, Baycol® was widely prescribed by doctors to decrease patient cholesterol levels. Baycol®, also known as cerivastatin, is part of the statin class of drugs, which block lipid production in order to lower cholesterol.

Baycol® was recalled August 8, 2001 after 31 deaths occurred among U.S. patients taking the drug. Fifty-two deaths had been reported worldwide in the latest report. As a result, many Baycol® lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturer, which is still facing many settlements. These deaths were caused by the muscle ailment rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis is a possible side effect of all statin drugs, but its incidence among Baycol® patients was much higher and more serious. When a patient develops rhabdomyolysis, the muscle cells are damaged. The cells then release a pigment, called myoglobin, into the bloodstream. High levels of myoglobin tend to put excessive stress on the kidneys, which try to filter the myoglobin out of the blood. Kidney failure and death are the most extreme possible results.

Patients who took high doses of Baycol® and those who took the drug with another cholesterol drug, gemfibrozil, have had a higher risk of developing rhabdomyolysis. Bayer A.G. Pharmaceuticals, Baycol's manufacturer, recalled the drug voluntarily

Patients who have experienced any of the following symptoms, should be sure to consult with a doctor right away: muscle or joint pain, weakness, fatigue, nausea, dark urine. If you would like more information about the latest Baycol® settlements or would like to learn more about Baycol® lawsuits, contact Gancedo & Nieves today!

Personal Injury

Also known as tort law, personal injury law intends to preserve the rights of those injured by another's actions or inactions. Physical harm, mental distress, or property damage can be considered grounds to file a personal injury suit. When a person suffers a personal injury, financial, physical and emotional hardships often become overwhelming, and the victim is entitled to seek compensation. It is essential that personal injury victims seek immediate legal representation to ensure that their rights are upheld under all circumstances.

Liability and damages are usually determined based on the establishment of negligence, strict liability, or intentional wrong. Negligence refers to an individual's disregard to common safety or considerate practices. An intoxicated surgeon's botched surgery is considered evidence of negligent behavior. A manufacturer whose toy poses a choking hazard is strictly liable for any resulting injuries. An intentional wrong case may arise from any form of deliberate harm inflicted by one person or entity upon another.

If you feel that you or a loved one is the victim of a personal injury, contact our lawyers today for a free case review.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents generally involve significant damage to the rider's physical health and vehicle. Motorists often fail to "notice" motorcyclists, and speeding, negligent driving, and the use of drugs or alcohol increases the likelihood of a serious accident. While damage or destruction of the motorcycle is upsetting, motorcyclists tend to incur severe injuries, leading to financial and emotional stress and excessive absences from work during the recovery process. In the worst cases, disabilities, or even death may ensue, leaving the victim's family with extensive medical bills and grief.

If you or a loved one was involved in a motorcycle accident, it is imperative that you contact your insurance company immediately to report the event. It is highly advisable that you seek legal representation to ensure you receive your rightful healthcare and financial compensation. Contact us today for a case review.

Contact Gancedo & Nieves today for more information.