Medicines that can injure and kill
The makers of Paxil, Reglan and the Duragesic Pain Patch – all prescription drugs – are facing lawsuits across the country. Paxil can cause fatal birth defects. Reglan can cause permanent, jerky body movements. The Duragesic patch can deliver a fatal overdose of a powerful narcotic. Anyone experiencing these side effects or who has lost a loved after taking these drugs should consult an attorney.
Paxil: If pregnant women take Paxil their babies can be born with fatal heart and lung defects. Paxil is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, post traumatic stress disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder – conditions that cry out for relief. But it is highly addictive and can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms, including suicide.
Reglan: If this drug is taken for an extended period (three months) it can cause permanent involuntary movements: lip smacking, grimacing, tongue protrusion, rapid eye movements or blinking and pursing of the lips. Reglan is used to treat heartburn and acid reflux that does not respond to other drugs.
The Duragesic Patch: If these pain-killing patches leak, they deliver an overdose of Fentanyl, a narcotic that is 80 times stronger than morphine. Even after a patch with a crack has been removed, the overdose remains in the system for up to 72 hours. Duragesic patches are prescribed for cancer patients and others with chronic pain who have been taking prescription pain killers for some time. The patches never should be prescribed for anyone who has not previously been on pain medication.
It’s called Fosamax (alendronate sodium) and its maker Merck & Co. is now the target of hundreds of lawsuits across the country brought by patients who say they developed osteonecrosis of the jaw after taking the drug. Osteonecrosis is a rare disease that breaks down the jawbone. Ironically, Fosamax is taken to combat osteoporosis, a condition that thins and weakens bones especially after menopause. Osteonecrosis can develop without causing symptoms for weeks and sometimes months. Symptoms include loose teeth, exposed bone, pain in the jaw or gums, infections in the gums, loss of sensation and significant gum loss. The Mayo Clinic considers Fosamax safe for most patients. But it notes that reports of osteonecrosis associated with oral doses of Fosamax began surfacing in 2003. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved generic versions of Fosamax in early 2008. Individuals who most often develop osteonecrosis are patients with cancer or dental problems.
A fiery explosion from a fatal accident involving six trucks and a car in East Texas that killed two on Sept.29, 2008 puts the spotlight back on the need for truck safety in Texas. The near-midnight collision closed Interstate 20 eastbound for hours. 
