Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are types of antidepressants. Brand names of SSRIs include: Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, Symbyax, Wellbutrin and Effexor. These drugs inhibit neuronal serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake and slightly inhibit dopamine reuptake. SSRIs have been associated with serious, life-threatening birth defects. Research suggests that, if a mother took SSRI’s during pregnancy, [...]

 Actos (generically known as pioglitazone), ACTOplus met (pioglitazone HCI and metformin HCI), Actoplus met xr (pioglitazone HCI and metformin HCI extended-release) and Duetact (pioglitazone HCI and glimepiride) are used to treat type 2 diabetes. The manufacturers of Actos (pioglitazone) warned doctors that the drug may cause or worsen congestive heart failure and that Actoplus met [...]

A DePuy Orthopaedics (Subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson) ASR hip replacement recall was issued for two DePuy Orthopaedics hip replacement products: the ASR Hip Resurfacing System the ASR XL Acetabular System after data indicated that 12% (one in eight patients) may fail within five years, requiring painful revision hip replacement surgery. The DePuy ASR Hip Implant [...]

NYTimes (9/23, Harris).  Drug regulators in Europe and the US have restricted the use of Avandia (rosiglitazone), the diabetes medicine made by GlaxoSmithKline, due to an elevated risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack or stroke.  Medwatch Avandia Safety Alert 9.23.10 Avandia will no longer be sold in Europe.  Patients in the US will [...]

Pain Pumps were developed and marketed as a way to speed up recovery following surgery for post-operative pain management.  Recent studies have shown that intra-articular pain pumps can cause catastrophic cartilage damage. Pain pumps deliver anesthetic directly into a patient’s joint following orthopedic surgery.  Pain management pumps are used to control pain without the side [...]

There have been suspicions that the diabetes drug Avandia® (rosiglitazone) has been associated with a greater incidence of heart attacks among those taking Avandia for long periods of time. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed data from a long-term study regarding the use of the diabetes drug Avandia® (rosiglitazone). The study, nicknamed RECORD [...]

Yasmin and Yaz were approved by the Food & Drug Administration for women to use as a birth control pill.  The generic name for Yasmin is “Ocella.” Unlike many drugs which are marketed strictly to doctors,  Yaz and Yasmin were marketed directly to women, particularly targeting young women.  Television ads promised to treat the pain [...]