A doctor is blaming hair-growth drug, Propecia, for his son’s suicide. Use of Propecia (finasteride), in some cases, has been linked to depression and sexual dysfunction.

Propecia is part of a class of drugs known as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs), and is approved to treat male pattern baldness. A 5-mg dosage of finasteride, sold under the brand name Proscar, is marketed by Merck & Co. to treat enlarged prostate. Propecia and Proscar work by preventing the conversion of androgen testosterone to DHT, a hormone critical to male sexual performance, NewsInferno explained. (more…)

At least one Pradaxa death is being blamed on irreversible bleeding. Pradaxa (dabigatran), approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) October 2012, is prescribed as a blood thinner for patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation to prevent stroke.

Although both Pradaxa and warfarin—known by the brand name Coumadin, which has been marketed for decades—pose risks for serious bleeding. Where warfarin’s bleeding side effect can be contained, Pradaxa’s cannot: There is no reasonable antidote for Pradaxa bleeding, noted NewsInferno; however, Pradaxa is touted as a better alternative to warfarin. (more…)

A new study reveals that Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients taking serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs) and serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRIs) antidepressants have increased mortality rates.

SSRIs include drugs sold under the brand names Paxil, Prozac, Celexa, Lexapro, and Zoloft and block the reabsorption (reuptake) of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. Altering serotonin balance helps brain cells send and receive chemical messages, which boosts mood, explained NewsInferno. Other antidepressants that impact serotonin levels include SNRIs such as Effexor and Strattera. (more…)

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) just issued a statement concerning study that suggests death risks associated with antibiotic, Zithromax (azithromycin), are greater in heart disease patients. The study appears in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The FDA announced that it is aware of the research that studied cardiovascular death risks in patients treated with Zithromax (azithromycin), amoxicillin, Cipro (ciprofloxacin), Levaquin (levofloxacin), and no antibacterial drug. The study reported a small increase in cardiovascular deaths, and in the risk of death from any cause, in people treated with a five-day course of Zithromax, versus people treated with amoxicillin, Cipro, or no drug. The risks of cardiovascular death associated with Levaquin were similar to those seen in Zithromax treatment. (more…)

Tiny lithium button batteries pose hidden dangers and dangerous health hazards to children. The ubiquitous button batteries can be found in many consumer products, even children’ toys.

In one report discussed by ABC News, a three-year-old boy swallowed a small, lithium battery that was only discovered after he fell ill and an X-ray revealed what, at first, appeared to be a button. Surgery revealed that the boy swallowed a battery that led to severe esophageal damage, causing the boy to be fed by tube for several months. (more…)

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration just announced new Gilenya restrictions. Gilenya (fimgolimod) was approved in 2010 for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS).

The first MS pill medication, Gilenya is used to reduce the frequency of MS flare-ups and delay physical disability. However, reports of patient deaths have prompted concerns. (more…)

Drug maker, Celgene’s, Revlimid’s (lenalidomide) label has been updated with cancer warnings, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) just announced. Revlimid is used with other drugs for the treatment of multiple myeloma (cancer of plasma cells) and is also prescribed to treat a blood disorder called myelodysplastic syndrome.

The FDA just issued a broad update concerning the risk of developing a second cancer when being treated with Revlimid, as well as specific information concerning its analysis of the drug and second cancers, said the Myeloma Beacon. (more…)

Device maker, Boston Scientific, has been named in 300 transvaginal mesh lawsuits. The controversial devices are typically used during surgical procedures to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and/or stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Sadly, patients describe horrific pain and infections that worsen even after corrective surgery is attempted, leaving these women with limited options and debilitating health responses.

Transvaginal mesh devices were approved through the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) 510(k) fast-track approval process. The 501(k) enables a device access to the market with reduced pre-market safety testing if that device is similar to a previously approved device. Because of the significant outpouring of adverse reactions reports associated with these devices, as well as mounting lawsuits, the agency is considering rescinding 510(k) approvals for transvaginal mesh devices used in POP repair. As a matter-of-fact, the FDA recently asked transvaginal mesh device makers to conduct safety studies of their products. (more…)

National law firm, Parker Waichman LLP, has just filed several new lawsuits on behalf of individuals who were allegedly injured by life-threatening Plavix bleeding side effects. The three new Plavix lawsuits claim the drug causes serious bleeding.
The complaints were filed on May 3, 2012, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York (Index Nos. 152380/2012, 152381/2012, and 152382/2012). Each alleges that use of Plavix caused the plaintiffs to suffer serious gastrointestinal bleeds.

This is not the first time patients have complained of side effects from the popular blood thinner. Parker Waichman LLP filed an additional six Plavix bleeding lawsuits on April 30, 2012, also in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York (Index Nos. 152244/2012; 152232/2012; 152253/2012; 152234/2012; 152238/2012; and 152250/2012). Those complaints also allege that the plaintiffs’ use of Plavix caused them to suffer from a number of bleeding side effects, including gastrointestinal hemorrhage, cerebral hemorrhage, and a blood condition called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). (more…)

Following a warning letter issued by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) regarding DMAA-containing supplements, makers of these products are beginning to reformulate the pre-workout products.

Ten companies that manufacture and distribute dietary supplements containing dimethylamylamine, known as DMAA, were cited. The makers were warned for marketing products for which safety evidence was not submitted to the agency. DMAA is also known as 1,3-dimethylamylamine, methylhexanamine, or geranium extract and is often advertised as a “natural stimulant” in dietary supplements. (more…)