In recognition of American Heart Month, which kicks off tomorrow (Feb. 1st), and National Wear Red Day (Feb. 3rd), LawyersandSettlements.com takes a look at our most-viewed drug lawsuit topics for 2011 in which heart attack or heart side effects were the alleged primary injuries.
Unfortunately, while a lot of focus this month will be on the positive measures we all can take to improve heart health—and that’s certainly important—it can be easy to overlook the negative heart side effects some drugs can have—and attention should be given to those as well.
As the chart at left depicts, Actos, Paxil and Zoloft accounted for the majority of 2011 traffic related to heart side effects, with Actos receiving the most at 25 percent. The Type 2 diabetes drug was released as an alternative to Avandia, which as you’ll recall came off pharmacy shelves as a result of the new FDA REMS program that became effective in November, 2011. Still, Avandia came in as the fourth most popular heart lawsuit topic.
Paxil, the popular antidepressant, has been linked to heart birth defects in infants and the drug drove in 18 percent of traffic last year. Ditto Zoloft, which accounted for 10 percent of the pageviews among readers concerned over the potential for heart birth defects.
The ten prescription drugs on the list fall into four distinct classes: Actos and Avandia are prescribed for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes; Vytorin helps to control cholesterol, which has a direct impact on heart health; Trasylol is used during surgery to mitigate blood loss; the remaining drugs address depression and anxiety.
Reader interest in Prozac, Lexapro, Effexor, Celexa, Zoloft and Paxil shows continued concern surrounding pregnant women using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) drugs and potential heart birth defects.
Here’s the full list:
Top 10 Drug Lawsuit Topics for Heart Side Effects in 2011
*SNRI (serotonin-norephinephrine reuptake inhibitor) or SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) drugs associated with heart birth defects when taken during pregnancy
I contacted Lawyers and Settlements.com previously about just this situation.A wrongful death situation from Vancomycin ( Baxter). My husband died from a heart attack because of this drug.
He had an allergic reaction to this medication. Product liability – Medical negligence – I would
think we have a case. All the pain and suffering could have been avoided.
Hi Joan, If you submitted a claim at LawyersandSettlements.com, you can go to this page to check the status of that claim: http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/status.html
are there any on going lawsuits for these drugs, and what are the heart side effects and or problems. I have taken several of theses drugs during and right after my divorce some years back, I have since had to have a stint put in my heart and will be on meds the rest of my life.
Hi Lois, Yes, there are lawsuits pending in many instances with these drugs. If you click the links within the story above, you can read more about some of the lawsuits. If you, yourself, feel as though you may have a complaint regarding harmful drug side effects for which you'd like to seek legal help, you can do so here: https://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/submit_form…
Hello, I am currently on Celexa 10 mg. I have been on it for about six years. I should have my heart checked. I’ve been having slight pain on my left upper chest. Just be safe. Having pain with my G.i. This was very helpful.