Other Potentially Dangerous Drugs

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Almost every day, in the newspaper or on television, you hear about drugs that were supposed to help the public but end up causing illnesses, injuries, and even death. You can protect yourself from taking potentially dangerous drugs. The key is to carefully research any medication that you are considering taking to learn what harmful side effects have been associated with the drug. Any medication that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration has to go through rigorous testing and clinic trials. The results of those trials have to be made available to the public, so make sure you read all available information, and discuss it with your doctor.

Sometimes, a specific drug itself does not directly cause dangerous side effects. Rather, when drugs are incorrectly prescribed together, the results can be fatal. Drugs that have negative side effects when taken simultaneously are classified as contraindicated drugs. While, normally we may not consider medications prescribed by doctors to be life threatening, it is critical to understand that any drug use has consequences, and without proper care, prescription medications can quickly get out of hand.

The most important safety precaution you can take is to closely follow the directions your doctor provides, and avoid any drug combinations that could jeopardize your health. You should also be aware of the most commonly contraindicated drugs. You should always consult a physician prior to taking medications, particularly if you have a history of allergies or high blood pressure, or are pregnant. Seemingly harmless drugs can be detrimental for patients with these complications. Other common contraindicated drugs include blood thinners and aspirin, high doses of Vitamin C and anesthesia drugs, and certain antidepressants used with over-the-counter cold medicines. Most of these are fairly common, household items that the majority of individuals consider to be harmless. It is imperative that you share all information when consulting with your physician, since neglecting to do so is a serious risk, even if you feel that information is insignificant. It is better to be safe than sorry.

While monitoring drug intake is critical, it is just as important to report all side effects to your doctor as soon as they are detected. If you have any taken medication in the past that resulted in serious side effects, such as heart, liver, or kidney problems, and your doctor believes that it was caused by medication that you took, you may want to contact a personal injury attorney. There are attorneys who specialize in cases against medication manufacturers and can explain what avenues are available to you in terms of a lawsuit. Even if you have fully recovered, you still may have the right to sue for money that you lost paying medical bills or from the loss of wages while out of work.

When you call or visit an attorney to discuss your case, they are likely to question you about your current health, the medications that you take, and your health history. You should go to the meeting with relevant documentation so support your statements. Relevant documents include all medical reports, medical history, doctor's notes from previous evaluations, and any bills that you have incurred as a result of your illness cause by the drug in question. An attorney can review all of these documents and consult your medical professional in order to determine whether a case against the drug company is viable.

It is your responsibility to take proper precautions any time you consume medications, prescriptions or not. However, when illnesses arise through no fault of your own, you have the right to seek justice.

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