What is Darvon/Darvocet?

 

 

Darvon and Darvocet are banned medications that used to prescribed as painkillers since the 1950s. Darvon is the brand name for the compound propoxyphene and Darvocet is propoxyphene mixed with acetaminophen with both being linked to abnormal heart rhythm.

 

 

The FDA forced the manufacturer – Xanodyne to conduct clinical tests in 2009 where they found a greater than normal risk of developing complications, which led to Darvocet coming off the market in 2010. In 2009 nearly 10 million Americans were taking medication with some form of propoxyphene. The UK and European Union had banned the medication several years earlier.

 

 

What are the risks of Darvon and Darvocet?

 

 

Although it took several decades to establish a link, it is now conclusively proven that these drugs have caused serious cardiac side effects that far outweigh the benefit of its use as a painkiller. Propoxyphene remains in the body long after the dosage and remains toxic to the heart where it interrupts heart rhythm by slowing down contractions and interrupting electrical impulses to the heart. There have been indications and suspicions of this link for a number of decades which has lead the public advocacy group Public Citizen’s to decry that the FDA has been negligent in controlling and studying the potential risks of propoxyphene medication.

 

 

In 2009, prior to the ban, the FDA allowed Darvon/Darvocet to continue to be marketed with warning labels about potentially fatal overdoses. Later studies showed that propoxyphene medications had a higher risk of drug-related deaths than similar drugs with nearly 16 deaths per 100,000 prescriptions. In the unlikely event that you are still taking Darvon/Darvocet after the recall, you must contact your doctor immediately. Doses should not stop suddenly but should be drawn down and replaced by another painkiller, at your doctor’s discretion.

 

 

What should I do if I or a loved one has been harmed by taking Darvon and Darvocet?

 

 

The FDA and the manufacturer Xanodyne ignored warning signs about the drugs for a number of years and motions to pull the drug from the market were filed as early as 1978. This lack of acknowledgement over the associated risks can be used to hold the drug company liable for damages to cover medical bills, lost wages as well as pain and suffering associated with harm caused by this drug. Lawsuits associated with harm caused by this drug are subject to the statue of limitations which means that if the patient or family of the patient intends to sue, they must do it in a timely manner before the chance expires.

 

A brief guide to Advair Diskus coupons

 

 

Asthma patients who are prescribed Advair Diskus may be concerned about the cost of this medication. It is important to keep in mind that the drug is only intended for limited use in combination with a longer-term asthma medication. If you wish to find an Advair Diskus coupon to help you control the cost of this prescription medication, keep in mind that this is only one of several options which is available to you.

 

 

Advair Diskus coupons may be issued by the drug's manufacturer. Currently, their website offers a print-out coupon which removes $10 from the cost of each month's supply. This Advair Diskus coupon cannot be legally used without a physician's prescription. Attempting to purchase the drug with Advair Diskus coupons without a prescription is a violation of the law.

 

 

Other sources for discounts exist. For example, a local pharmacy may offer its own Advair Diskus coupon or another form of discount. Consult with your physician to see if they are aware of any other offers. In addition to Advair Diskus coupons, the manufacturer is currently offering a free trial dose lasting 30 days for first time users. Both of these offers contain maintain restrictions. Note in particular that those covered by Medicare or Medicaid are unlikely to be able to use an Advair Diskus coupon.

 

 

Additionally, it is important to make sure that you do not violate the terms of your insurance when purchasing this drug. Your policy may forbid the use of Advair Diskus coupons. Check and see what the terms of your coverage are. If you are covered for any part of the cost of purchasing the drug, you may find it unnecessary to seek out an Advair Diskus coupon in the first place.

 

 

Should you decide to attempt to purchase the drug from an online pharmacy, these too may offer their own discounts. However, it is important to thoroughly research any such retailer before taking advantage of any Advair Diskus coupons they offer. A pharmacy which sells medication without a copy of a physician's prescription is in violation of the law and cannot be trusted. You may wish to have a physician examine any Advair Diskus coupon which you find online. 

 

 

Whether you make use of an Advair Diskus coupons or pay for the full cost of this medication, follow a physician's instructions exactly. Do not overuse the drug after making a purchase with an Adverse Diskus coupon or otherwise disregard the guidelines you are issued. By doing so, you place yourself in medical jeopardy. Any adverse effects will be your legal responsibility.

 

 

Maintain copies of any Advair Diskus coupon you use, as well as all related medical records. If severe adverse effects result, you may wish to consult a lawyer about the possibility of litigation. Records of Advair Diskus coupons will factor into the amount you are seeking to obtain. A lawyer may choose to sue the manufacturer if your adverse effects are not warned against in the prescription guidelines or a physician who has failed to adequately supervise your use. 

 

 

Amphetamines are psycho-stimulant drugs–within the phenethylamine class—that produce increased focus and wakefulness in association with decreased appetite and fatigue. Common brand names of amphetamines—offered via prescription—include Adderall, Dextrostat, Desoxyn, ProCentra and Desoxyn.

In addition to prescription use, amphetamines are used recreationally as performance enhancers. Recreational amphetamine users have coined various colloquial names for the drugs, including “speed.”

 

Physical effects of amphetamine will include the following: dilated pupils, blood shot eyes, hyperactivity, restlessness, dry mouth, headaches, hypertension, fever, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, palpitations, insomnia, tremors, convulsions; and with chronic usage: seizure, stroke, heart attack, coma and death.

 

Amphetamine use will impose the following psychological side effects: anxiety, euphoria, increased libido, concentration, self-esteem, alertness, self-confidence, sociability, irritability, repetitive and obsessive behaviors, paranoia, aggression and psychosis with chronic use.

Amphetamine use also yields severe withdrawal symptoms that typically consist of mental depression, mental fatigue and an increased appetite. These symptoms may last for days or months with chronic—withdrawal severity is proportional to the length of use and the dosage strength. Anxiety, agitation, vivid dreams, excessive sleep and suicidal thoughts are also common withdrawal symptoms associated with amphetamine use.

 

Amphetamine use in the United States is deemed illegal without the appropriate prescription—Adderall and other amphetamines are legal with prescription. Amphetamine and methamphetamine are classified as Schedule II drugs under the title CNS (Central Nervous System) stimulants.

According to U.S. law, it is illegal to distribute, manufacture or possess any controlled substance. An individual who is convicted of possessing, distributing or manufacturing more than 5 grams of methamphetamine will be subject to the following penalties:

·         Prison sentence between 5 and 40 years

·         If the use or sale of amphetamine sparks a death, the minimum prison sentence will increase to 20 years

·         A fine of up to $5 million may be imposed

·         For a repeat offense, the minimum prison sentence will increase by 10 years; the applicable fines will increase by up to as much as $10 million.

·         The associated penalties will be increased for individuals convicted with more than 50 grams of methamphetamines

 

Schedule II drugs are deemed highly addictive with a high potential for abuse, with a currently-accepted medical use, if and only if, they are attached with severe restrictions or evaluated by a licensed medical physician. Laws surrounding illegal amphetamine use are stringent; the drugs, as deemed by the United States Federal Government, have a high possibility of physiological dependence and severe psychological addiction.

Amphetamines are regarded as Class B drugs in the United Kingdom. Penalty for the unauthorized possession of amphetamines in the United Kingdom is an unlimited fine and up to five years in prison. The maximum penalty associated with supplying amphetamine is 14 years in prison and an unlimited fine.

The Netherlands defines amphetamines as List 1 drugs of Opium law—amphetamines are deemed legal only in prescription in the form of 5 and 10 mg generic tablets or 5 and 10 mg gel capsules.

In Canada, amphetamine possession is regarded as a criminal offense labeled under Schedule II of the nation’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Amphetamine use or possession in Canada holds a maximum penalty of imprisonment for up to one year and maximum fines of $2,000.

 

Dextroamphetamine is a psycho-stimulant drug known to produce increased focus and wakefulness along with a decrease in fatigue and appetite. Dextroamphetamine is far more potent than racemic amphetamine and has a number of stimulant properties to racemic methamphetamines. Dextroamphetamine is the leading ingredient in the ADHD combatant Adderall, which is composed of racemic amphetamines. 

Because of its ability to mitigate the effects of ADHD and narcolepsy, Dextroamphetamine possesses a number of legal benefits. Moreover, Dextroamphetamine is also used to combat treatment-resistant depression and exogenous obesity. Due to the drug’s ability to intensify focus and alertness, the United States Air Force commonly prescribes Dextroamphetamine to pilots and soldiers on long missions. 

Psychological effects of Dextroamphetamine include: anxiety, euphoria, increased libido, increased energy, alertness, concentration, sociability, aggressiveness, psychosomatic disorders, delusions of grandiosity, hallucinations, excessive feelings of invincibility and power, paranoia, repetitive and obsessive behaviors and amphetamine psychosis can occur with chronic and/or excessive dosage. 

Physical effects of Dextroamphetamine will include: anorexia, hyperactivity, restlessness, dry mouth, headaches, dilated pupils, flushing, twitching, insomnia, palpitations, tremors, hypertension, blurred vision, dizziness and with chronic and/or high dosage a user may experience convulsions, heart attacks, strokes and severe cases, death. 

Withdrawal symptoms of Dextroamphetamine will consist of depression, fatigue and an increased appetite. These symptoms may last a few days for users who occasionally take Dextroamphetamine or may last months with chronic use. The severities of Dextroamphetamine’s withdrawal symptoms are directly elastic to the user’s length and frequency of dosage. Withdrawal symptoms may also include anxiety, headaches, irritability, agitation, vivid dreams and suicidal ideation. 

Commonly referred to as Dexedrine, Dextroamphetamine is a brain stimulant which perpetuates awareness, self-confidence and a decreased appetite. For decades, Dextroamphetamine was used to suppress an individual’s appetite; however, because of the drug’s potent toxicity, Dextroamphetamine is no longer legally approved for this purpose. 

Once approved for the treatment of obesity, depression, attention deficit disorder and narcolepsy, the availability of Dextroamphetamine is now diminished due to safer alternatives. The drug is now only available to combat the effects of ADHD; Dextroamphetamine is available in 5 or 10 mg tablets, which are consumed orally, to offset the effects associated with ADHD. 

Because Dextroamphetamine is an amphetamine, the drug is classified under the terms of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 as a Schedule II drug. Schedule II drugs are regarded as prescription medications that yield a genuine medical benefit, but also pose a high risk for addiction and abuse. All Schedule II drugs require a medical prescription before they may be legally used. 

Doctors and pharmacies that dispense Schedule II drugs are required to register with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Furthermore, regulations are placed on the amount of Dextroamphetamine produced by domestic manufacturers. 

Commonly referred to as “drug abuse”, substance abuse refers to an individual’s habitual use of and dependency for a controlled substance. Substance abuse has a wide range of definitions related to ingesting (or taking) a performance enhancing drug or a psychoactive drug for a non-medical or non-therapeutic effect.

Drugs that are often the subject of substance abuse include: alcohol, barbiturates, amphetamines, cocaine and opioids. The perpetual use of these drugs may lead to criminal punishment and possible social, physical and/or psychological harm—these adverse effects depend on the region or jurisdiction’s laws, as well as the user’s tolerance levels, the type of substance being abused, as well as the frequency and dosage attached to the abuse.

 

In the modern medical profession, substance abuse is used as a blanket term to include the recreational abuse or addiction to narcotics, drugs and other substances. Substance abuse refers to the harmful use of a substance that ultimately leads to the displacement of psychological or physical harm on the abuser. Individuals deemed as substance abusers must exhibit a physical dependence for the drug, must habitually use the drug and must experience a significant withdrawal from the drug.

 

Depending on the type of drug, substance abuse (including alcohol) may lead to a series of social problems, health problems, violence, motor vehicle accidents, injuries, suicides, homicides, deaths, or psychological and physical dependency.

Substance abuse can induce mental illness; the dependency for the drug inhibits the user from perceiving reality—everything they do, say and think about revolves around the euphoria of the high. Substance abuse triggers numerous effects on the user’s central nervous system, which in turn, produces several changes in mood, perceptions, sensations and levels of awareness.

Signs of substance abuse will be illuminated in a variety of settings; however, the most tangible sign comes in the form of the abuser’s behavior. A substance abuser will organize and plan his or her life around the next high. Furthermore, physical symptoms, such as glassy or bloodshot eyes, decreased appetites and severe fluctuations in mood will be present. The addiction to the substance impedes the user from maintaining responsibilities and commitments—victims of substance abuse will tend to frequently miss work, school or appointments. Furthermore, the addiction will ostracize the user from his or her family and circle of friends. Again, the high supersedes legitimately every aspect of the abuser’s life.

 

Treatment methods for substance abuse is essential for the millions of victims around the world. Before treatment can be secured, a formal intervention is typically necessary to convince the abuser to submit to help. A behavioral intervention and medication is available to help abusers reduce or discontinue their use. The following forms of interventions have emerged to convince and motivate a substance abuse victim:

·         Motivational therapy

·         Community Reinforcement Approach

·         Exposure Therapy

·         Contingency Management

·         Pharmacological Therapy

 

In addition to these therapies, victims of substance abuse will often be submitted into rehabilitation facilities where they will be isolated from society, the drug itself and other influences. Rehab facilities offer counseling and educational resources to enable the user to curb his or her addiction. 

Marijuana laws are among the most confusing and diverse for controlled substances in the United States. Because cannabis is regarded as relatively innocuous—when compared to other illegal drugs, such as cocaine, heroin etc.—the laws surrounding possession, use and cultivation will vary from state to state. A number of states in the U.S. have decriminalized the substance; these states institute only fines for possession or use of marijuana. That being said, the marijuana laws—and their attached punishments—will vary in regards to stringency, based on the amount of cannabis in question and intent. 

That being said, the federal government lists marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug. This broad classification is then interpreted for the state’s to elucidate the attached penalties and the coordinating amounts. 

The United States government regulates illicit substances through the Controlled Substances Act of 1970—this legislation does not acknowledge the difference between medical and recreational use of cannabis. The laws expressed through this act are typically applied only against individuals who cultivate, possess or distribute large quantities of marijuana. 

According to Federal law, marijuana is treated like every other illegal drug. The schedules or classifications offered by the Federal Government are organized based on the drug’s relative potential for abuse and medicinal benefit. Under the Controlled Substance Act, marijuana is defined as a Schedule I drug. This classification denotes that the government views marijuana as highly addictive and in possession of no medical value. 

Federal marijuana laws are exceedingly serious; punishment for people found guilty of violating federal marijuana laws is frequently steep. There are two different forms of federal sentencing laws: mandatory sentencing laws and sentencing guidelines. The latter takes into account the amount of marijuana in question and prior convictions. Although not all marijuana convictions require jail time under these guidelines, all are eligible for imprisonment. The higher the amount the in question, the more severe the sentence will be. Low-level offenses typically yield probationary periods. Possession of over 1 kilogram of marijuana—with no prior convictions—will result in a prison sentence between six months to one year. 

Although the federal government claims that marijuana does not offer medical benefits, states are able to institute provisions to alter the federal sentencing guidelines attached to marijuana possession and use. A number of states (such as California and Colorado) also have instituted their own medical marijuana laws. These states recognize marijuana’s medicinal value and have either passed laws through their congress or adopted them based on initiative. 

Under America’s federalist system of government, the states are entrusted to exercise a police power for the benefit of their particular residents. Due to this constitutional divide, states may elect to decriminalize conduct, such as marijuana possession or medical marijuana activity, which remains actively illegal under federal law. As a result of the state’s ability to tinker with federal marijuana laws, all local law enforcement agents are required to uphold state-specific marijuana laws. For example, under California’s medical marijuana laws, caregivers and patients are exempt from prosecution by the state, notwithstanding contrary federal law. 

Tequin, or its generic name Gatifloxacin, is an antibiotic developed developed by Kyorin Pharmaceutical Company in Japan and licensed in the United States by Bristol-Myers Squibb that inhibits bacterial enzymes for the treatment of respiratory tract infections.In 2006 Bristol-Myers Squibb stopped manufacture of Tequin after the FDA issued a “black box” warning requirement on all labels associated with Tequin.

A famous study published by the New England Journal of Medicine in 2006 linked Tequin to diabetes and it was recommended that the drug be issued a “black box” warning.  A “black box” warning is considered to be the FDA’s most preventative measure for warning physicians and patients about the use of a product.  The warning consists of a black box design on the label of the product that indicates that the drug has a significant risk of serious or even life-threatening conditions. 

Side effects of Tequin use include dizziness, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, erratic heartbeat, liver injury, nausea and fainting.  The major side effect of Tequin is diabetes and diabetes related conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis and diabetic coma. 

In 2006 the FDA issued a “black box” warning on all oral forms of Tequin.  Since the FDA put in the regulation the product has been taken off the market and throughout the world companies have begun to lift their forms of Gatifloxacin from their shelves. 

Although no claims have been made in the United states, legal action against Tequin has been formally filed in the Canadian Court System. In Canadian class action suit Bristol-Myers Squibb settled with plaintiffs for $5 million for failure to warn against conditions that include blood sugar disorders.  One man in the United States is suing Bristol-Myers Squibb for personal injury after he took 3 doses of Tequin and went into a diabetic coma due to an extreme case of hypoglycemia that he blames on the drug.

 

 

Introduction

 

 

Fluvoxamine, known by its brand name as Luvox is an SSRI anti-depression drug produced by Solvay Pharmaceuticals that is used primarily to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and social anxiety.  SSRI stands for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, a class of medication that increases the amount of serotonin in the body to impulsive neurological impulses and alters brain chemistry to make the patient experience a feeling of well being.  The medication is taken in capsule or extended release form, once or twice a day, may be slow acting but also may become habit forming.  Those that stop Fluvoxamine abruptly may enter withdrawal symptoms, so any doctors gradually reduce rather than terminate dosage.

 

 

What are the side effects of Fluvoxamine?

 

 

As with most SSRI medicines, altering brain chemistry may produce a number of side effects including pain, dizziness, nausea and sexual side effects.  Fluvoxamine is especially potent when compared to other SSRI drugs and like other SSRIs may induce thoughts of suicide in individuals under 24 for preexisting suicide risks.  Generally speaking, it is very risky to give any SSRI to children, due to the increased thoughts of suicide.  Pregnant women especially should not take Luvox as it increases the risk of birth defects in the fetus.

 

 

Why are Fluvoxamine and Luvox controversial?

 

 

In the aftermath of the 1999 Columbine High School shootings, it was revealed that one of the two shooters had been taking Fluvoxamine and it may have contributed to his actions.  In response, the medication was withdrawn from the US in 2002.  Since then it has reentered the US in both controlled release and generic forms.  It did not come to light until recently that SSRIs such as Luvox could potentially cause birth defects.  Warning labels were added a few years ago, but prior to that, there was not much indication from Solvay Pharmaceuticals of the potential danger.

 

 

What should I do if I have been harmed by taking Fluvoxamine?

 

 

The most common lawsuit against Solvay Pharmaceuticals regarding Fluvoxamine has been over birth defects.  Luvox has been found to cause development delays and respiratory problems in newborns as well as other problems that may manifest as the child gets older.  An attorney can help hold the pharmaceutical company liable for negligence in failing to inform doctors and the general public about the dangers of taking an SSRI in the third trimester.  Doctors too, that have not heeded recent warnings about SSRI medication and prescribed Fluvoxamine to expectant mothers have also been negligent for failing to consider the potential harm to the child.