Product Liability

August 26, 2009

Poligrip and Fixodent Denture Cream Use Leads to Zinc Poisoning

Denture Cream Lawsuit – Zinc Poisoning Symptoms
It has increasingly been reported that the denture cream ingredient zinc is associated with neurological symptoms including neuropathy in denture wearers. The recommended daily allowance of zinc is 8 mg for women and 11 mg for men. According to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies the largest daily tolerable zinc intake is 40 mg.

Fixodent denture adhesive and alleged Fixodent zinc poisoning is complicated by the fact zinc, as a trace element, is part of a healthy diet. Denture cream zinc poisoning happens when too much zinc is used.

According to the official Fixodent web site, “the amount of zinc an average denture adhesive user would ingest from daily usage of Fixodent” is less than the amount of zinc contained in most daily multivitamins, or fewer than 6 oysters.

August 25, 2009

Yaz Pulmonary Embolism Lawsuit Filed in Illinois State Court

by Dr. Shezad Malik

A new product liability lawsuit has been filed in St. Clair County, Ill. over the birth control pill Yaz, by a woman who says the drug caused her to suffer a blood clot in her lung, known as a pulmonary embolism.

The Yaz blood clot lawsuit was filed by Kerry Sims on August 18, according to a report in the St. Clair Record. Read the St. Clair Record report here. It is one of many similar lawsuits over Yaz and Yasmin, which are nearly identical oral contraceptives.

Read the full package insert, indications and risk profile for Yaz.

August 25, 2009

Yaz Yasmin Birth Control Side Effects

by Dr. Shezad Malik

About 11% of the U.S. market for oral contraceptives is now accounted for by Yasmin, a combination pill containing the novel progestin, drospirenone, in combination with ethinyl estradiol (EE).

Yaz lawsuits are personal injury cases in which women injured after taking Yaz birth control seek compensation for their injuries and losses.

Both Yaz and Yasmin birth control pills are known to potentially cause life-threatening side effects including blood clots, heart attacks, stroke, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and liver damage.

Yasmin was introduced earlier (approved in 2001 by the FDA), and has a slightly higher EE level:

* Yasmin—3 mg drospirenone and 30 mcg EE per tablet
* Yaz—3 mg drospirenone and 20 mcg EE per tablet

August 24, 2009

Yaz Yasmin Birth Control Information and Lawsuits

by Dr. Shezad Malik

Side effects of Yaz birth control could increase the risk of life-threatening injuries. Yaz lawsuits are being reviewed nationwide.

Yaz, which is nearly identical to Yasmin birth control, is a newer type of oral contraceptive sold by Bayer. It has been aggressively marketed without adequate warnings about potentially life-threatening side effects.

This site provides Yasmin lawsuit information and the latest news regarding Yasmin side effects and problems. This relatively new birth control has been marketed heavily to women in the United States and is one of the first contraceptives considered a “fourth generation” birth control pill.

It is manufactured by Bayer which also markets Yaz birth control. Generic Yasmin is marketed as “Ocella” and is manufactured by Teva. Yasmin is a combination hormonal contraceptive. It contains the hormones ethinyl estradiol (estrogen) and drospirenone which is a synthetic form of progestin.

August 24, 2009

FDA: Safety Review of Weight Loss Drugs Orlistat, Xenical and Alli

by Dr. Shezad Malik

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that it is reviewing adverse event reports of liver injury in patients taking the weight loss drug orlistat, marketed as the prescription drug Xenical and the over-the-counter medication Alli.

Between 1999 and 2008, the FDA received 32 reports of serious liver injury in patients taking orlistat. Of those cases, 27 reported hospitalization and six resulted in liver failure. Thirty of the adverse events occurred outside the United States. The most commonly reported adverse events included yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice), weakness, and stomach pain.

The FDA is reviewing additional data submitted by orlistat manufacturers on suspected cases of liver injury, and the issue has been discussed at the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Drug Safety Oversight Board.

“The issues here are complex, but FDA has benefited from the input of the Board, including comments from representatives from three FDA Centers and several other Agencies in the Department of Health and Human Services,” said Steven Osborne, M.D., executive director of the Board.

August 24, 2009

Nuvaring Side Effects, Stroke and Pulmonary Embolism

by Dr. Shezad Malik

Lawsuits have been filed alleging death and serious injury associated with NuvaRing, a contraceptive product made by Organon.

NuvaRing birth control is a third generation contraceptive manufactured by Organon USA. Nuva Ring birth control is a flexible polyethylene ring that contains estrogen and a form of the progestin desogestrel. NuvaRing is considered a combination hormonal contraceptive.

Since Nuva Ring birth control is a relatively new form of contraceptive there are few studies regarding its safety and effectiveness. As early as 1995 studies had shown there was an increased risk of venous thrombosis (blood clots) in contraceptives containing desogestrel compared to second generation birth control that contained other types of progestins.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a disease that includes deep vein thrombosis ( DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). A pulmonary embolism occurs when a segment of a thrombus (A clot within a blood vessel) within the deep venous system detaches from the vessel, travels to the lungs, and lodges within the pulmonary arteries.

August 23, 2009

Yaz Birth Control Dangers and Lawsuits

by Dr. Shezad Malik

The Yaz birth control pill has been on the market since 2006. Yaz is taken orally once daily to prevent pregnancy.

Yaz differs from other birth control methods because it contains a progestin hormone called drospirenone, which can increase potassium levels in the bloodstream. Yasmin, a birth control drug very similar to Yaz, has been on the market since 2001. It contains the same hormone as Yaz and is associated with the same health issues.

August 23, 2009

Yaz, Yasmin and Pulmonary Embolism, Stroke, Heart Attack

by Dr. Shezad Malik

Yaz and Yasmin manufacturers are now involved in multiple Federal and State lawsuits.

In October of 2008, a warning letter was sent by the Food and Drug Administration to Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc., in response to claims the company had made for Yaz, a very popular and heavily promoted birth control pill.

The warning letter stated that Yaz has additional risks compared to other birth control pills because it contains drospirenone, a progestin hormone that can increase potassium levels.

Among the serious and debilitating injuries reported from the birth control pills are heart attacks, blood clots, strokes, pulmonary embolisms, deep vein thrombosis, gall bladder disease, and other serious injuries. Some deaths have even occurred.

August 23, 2009

Levaquin Side Effects and Lawsuits

by Dr. Shezad Malik

The antibiotic Levaquin has been associated with side effects that could increase risk of tendon ruptures and permanent damage of the tendon.

STATUS OF LEVAQUIN LITIGATION: All federal Levaquin lawsuits have been consolidated in an MDL before Judge John R. Tunheim in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. It has been suggested that the first cases could be trial ready by January 2010.

Throughout the country, Levaquin lawyers are continuing to review and investigate potential lawsuits for users of the antibiotic who have suffered a tendon rupture.

August 22, 2009

Popcorn Workers Lung – Bronchiolitis Obliterans

by Dr. Shezad Malik

Bronchiolitis Obliterans also known as Popcorn Workers Lung, is an obstructive lung disease in which the bronchioles of the lungs are blocked by the growth of fibrous tissue.

The moniker Popcorn Workers Lung has been given to Bronchiolitis Obliterans because workers in factories that make microwavable popcorn that uses diacetyl for the buttery flavoring are known to contract the disease. The disease is irreversible, and can become so severe that a lung transplant may be necessary. Popcorn Workers Lung is a rare disorder that is known to be caused by repeated exposure to toxic gases, namely diacetyl.