In July, researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill published a study on testosterone heart risks in the medical journal, JAMA Internal Medicine, finding that the side effects of testosterone injections may pose the highest risk of cardiovascular events, hospitalizations and deaths. The team examined the comparative... Read more »

Earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a safety communication that alerts consumers about an increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) with the use of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, including Invokana, Invokamet, Farxiga, Jardiance and others. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a potentially life-threatening complication of diabetes... Read more »

In the August 20, 2015 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, FDA researchers published an article that expressed their concerns regarding testosterone therapy side effects. Specifically, they are concerned about the use of these products by men who have declining testosterone caused by the natural aging process, rather... Read more »

Federal regulations are currently in effect to ensure adverse events associated with prescription drugs are reported promptly to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, a new analysis of adverse event reporting has discovered some drug manufacturers may be neglecting those federal guidelines, which could be putting the lives... Read more »

A study recently published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology (AJOG) found results indicating that the blood thinner Xarelto (rivaroxaban) crosses the placental barrier, raising questions about its safety for use in pregnant women. The study adds to concerns about Xarelto side effects that include serious bleeding problems... Read more »

Some consumer health advocates are staunchly opposed to a new bill that was unanimously approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee on May 21, 2015. H.R. 6 is the 21st Century Cures Act that is being touted by its proponents as being a bipartisan reform package to facilitate medical... Read more »

District Judge Matthew Kennelly, who is overseeing 1,500 AndroGel testosterone lawsuits in federal court, has denied a request by Abbvie, the manufacturer of AndroGel, to amend the schedule for a group of bellwether trials to be held in 2016 and 2017. Abbvie specifically requested that the court allow expert discovery and summary... Read more »

A number of plaintiffs from Tucson, AZ have filed an Actos lawsuit against Takeda Pharmaceuticals citing personal injury, wrongful death and/or loss of consortium. They claim that use of the drug caused them to develop bladder cancer. Their lawsuits will be added to the ongoing multidistrict litigation in Louisiana. Actos,... Read more »

Less than two weeks ago, the FDA released an important drug safety communication regarding a new class of diabetes drugs, including those marketed under the brand names Invokana, Farxiga and Jardiance. Health regulators caution that diabetic patients taking this class of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors may be at risk for... Read more »

A Minnesota family filed a Depakote lawsuit against drugmaker Abbott, alleging that the defendants failed to properly communicate the serious risks of using the drug during pregnancy – which is similar to claims made in lawsuits filed with regard to the dangers of Zofran use during pregnancy. The child, a 12-year-old... Read more »