We all assume that when our doctor prescribes medication for us to take
that it is safe for us. However, in some cases the medication can cause
more damage than good. If you think you have suffered injury or illness
from an unsafe drug, it is important to obtain help from a
Tampa Bay area lawyer experienced in both medical malpractice and personal injury law.
It is true that drugs must be approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration, but this does not always guarantee that the benefits of taking the medication outweigh the risks. Some of the common types of drugs that are known to have inherent dangers include:
- Antipsychotics. An antipsychotic drug is used to treat schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. There are numerous dangerous side effects from taking an antipsychotic medication. A few examples include unhealthy weight gain, increased blood sugar levels and elevated cholesterol and lipid levels. In serious cases, taking antipsychotic drugs can cause the patient to develop diabetes, cardiovascular disease and long-term neurological damage.
- Prednisone or Cortisone. These medications are used to treat lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, allergies and numerous other conditions. However, the side effects can include infections, diabetes, damage to bones and inhibiting the healing of wounds.
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Conditions that are caused by food and stomach acid leaking into the esophagus can be alleviated by PPIs. While PPIs are effective, they do have negative side effects such as causing diarrhea, bone fractures, magnesium deficiency, pneumonia and weight gain.
- Statins. Heart disease and high cholesterol can be treated with statins. However, the use of statins can significantly increase your chance of liver disease, muscle atrophy, diabetes, brain damage and even death.
- Blood thinners. A thinning agent such as Coumadin is often prescribed to prevent strokes and heart attacks. A serious side effect of taking a blood thinner is that it can cause severe bleeding even from a small cut. In a severe case, death can result from excessive blood loss from what would be a minor injury if the individual had not taken the blood thinner.
Whether you were in a car accident, suffered injury from medical malpractice, or lost a loved one because of negligence, attorney Bryan Caulfield is here to help. He is pleased to be on the team of Tampa Bay area personal injury attorneys Perenich & Caulfield with offices in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Rocky Point, Spring Hill and New Port Richey. There is no fee or costs unless you win. Call for a fast free consultation at 1-800-535-2529, or contact Bryan Caulfield online.