Drug Recall Risks: Are You Sure Your Medications Are Safe?
Are you one of the 220 million people in the United States who takes over-the-counter medication? How about one of the 160 million who take at least one prescription drug, or one of the 32 million who take five or more different medications on a daily basis? If you answered yes to any of these questions, or fall into the Centers for Disease Control’s projections for future prescription use, you need to learn your potential pharmaceutical risks before it’s too late.
Dangerous (Yet Common) Risks of Pharmaceuticals
The U.S. has a staggering rate for drug recalls. Every month, an estimated 20 pharmaceutical drugs are placed on the watch list for investigation into health risks and potentially dangerous side effects. These drugs are brought to the attention of government regulators through independent studies, investigations and personal accounts from victims of the drugs themselves.
Unfortunately, being added to this list doesn’t necessarily mean a drug will be recalled. Although it does mean that it is under investigation for causing harm, the drug may still be allowed to be distributed. This is why it is important to understand common overall risks involved with pharmaceutical drugs, in order to discuss them with your physician as well as be able to identify them before it’s too late.
Common pharmaceutical side effects reported to the Food and Drug Administration are as follows:
- Fatigue or sleep disturbances. Difficulty sleeping or excessive bouts of being tired.
- Rashes, breakouts, and allergic reactions. Pink, red or bruised skin accompanying dry, itchy, raised or bumpy patches, acne, hives, asthma-like symptoms, inflammation, or swelling.
- Severe headaches or migraine headaches. Frequent headaches may be accompanied with sensitivity to light, sound, or temperature.
- Breathing problems. Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or wheezing.
- Liver and kidney damage or failure. Swollen or painful abdomen; urine and stool changes (smell, color, frequency); nausea; skin discoloration or irritation; fatigue; increased levels of potassium, urea, and acid in the blood.
- Neurological damage. Headaches, mood swings, fatigue, difficulty moving or speaking, memory loss.
- Motor function instability. Paralysis, seizures, shaking, and decrease in motor function
- Psychological dependency. Addiction or inability to function mentally without overusing.
- Palpitations. Irregular heart rhythms or excessive heart rate
- Death
On a Scale From One to Ten, How Do You Feel?
Given the potential risks involved, do you think it’s appropriate for doctors to continue prescribing medications in which they’re unsure of the effects? Do you think the FDA should require more extensive investigations before drugs are approved? Should all drugs be forced to through FDA approval, even if they’re similar to other drugs? How do you feel about your risks?
Need more information about dangerous drug claims, rights, and options? Contact us today for a free consultation with our experienced personal injury lawyers. We’ll be more than happy to answer your questions and get you on the track for justice.
