As of 2019, states, local, and tribal governments have filed more than 2,500 opioid lawsuits. The defendants are none other than the pharmaceutical companies that made these drugs.
The primary case against these drug makers is their false and negligent advertising. These pharmaceutical lawsuits contend that Big Pharma underplayed the risks of these drugs. The plaintiffs also allege that these companies exaggerated their products’ benefits.
What exactly do these dangerous drugs do, though? What makes them a menace to public safety, and is there any proof that they are, in fact, a threat?
We’ll answer all these questions below, so be sure to keep reading.
Fatal Opioid Overdoses
From May 2019 to 2020 alone, more than 81,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the US. This reflects an increase from the year before. Experts also believe that synthetic opioids are the primary driver for such incidents.
Many prescription painkillers can be deadly because as they are very addictive. They have direct chemical effects on the nervous system, which is how they ease pain in the first place. However, they can also induce feelings of “high” or pleasure.
The brain can also become tolerant to prescription painkillers, especially opioids. This tolerance can raise the body’s need for a higher dose for the drug to have the same effects. However, the body may be unable to process the higher dose, leading to a deadly overdose.
Life-Altering Side Effects
Dangerous drugs can also cause chronic side effects, such as impaired vision. An example is the chemotherapy drug Taxotere. According to a post by Chemoeyelawsuit.com, this substance can cause canalicular stenosis.
Canalicular stenosis is an eye condition that can cause excessive tearing. Many of those affected by this eye problem also develop Punctal stenosis. Punctal stenosis, in turn, can result in impaired vision.
The thing is, vision problems can raise the risk of injuries like fractures from falls. It can also lead to poor mental health, cognitive impairment, and even isolation. All these can affect a person’s quality of life and morbidity.
Deadly Misleading Claims
Some of the biggest pharmaceutical settlements had to do with false, deadly claims. An example is Abbott’s Depakote. The FDA only approved this for epileptic seizures, bipolar mania, and migraine prevention.
However, Abbott promoted Depakote’s off-label use for conditions like depression and anxiety. It also claimed that the drug could help with alcohol and drug withdrawal. All these led to the wide off-label use of the drug.
The thing is, Abbott didn’t highlight the drug’s many different side effects. Some of the downplayed effects were diarrhea, drowsiness, vision issues, and even hepatotoxicity. Some studies even found that it worsened depression and anxiety.
Help Is Available for Those Harmed by Pharmaceutical Companies
Not all pharmaceutical companies make dangerous drugs; many are intent on saving lives. However, some still make billions of profits at the expense of others’ lives.
Fortunately, US laws help victims get compensation for the harm caused by these drugs. If any of these have harmed you or a loved one, speak to a dangerous drug and medication attorney. They can help you sue these negligent drug makers.
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