Previously Investigated Defective Drugs and Medical Devices

The Willis Law Firm is a leader in defective drug litigation, class action drug lawsuits and medical device recall lawsuits. For a complete list of the major drugs and products under investigation, please visit our Drug Lawsuit Information page. We are currently evaluating cases involving the prescription drugs and products listed there. If you or a loved one have been harmed by a defective drug, defective medical device or defective product, then please fill out our Free Drug Lawsuit Case Evaluation form.

Major Drugs and Products Previously Investigated

	Actonel – May Cause Jaw Problems and Jaw Bone Decay Actonel (risedronate sodium) is manufactured by Procter & Gamble and was granted FDA approval on March 27, 1998. Actonel is prescribed to treat postmenopausal osteoporosis. Actonel is a type of drug known as bisphosphonates, the same family of drugs as Actonel, Aredia, and Zometa. Individuals using Actonel, or other bisphosphonates, should avoid tooth extractions and other major dental work while on the drugs. Actonel Information
	Aredia – Connected with Dead Jaw and ONJ Aredia (pamidronate disodium) is produced by Novartis and was approved by the FDA in 1991. Aredia is used to treat Hypercalcemia, Paget's disease, and Cancer. Aredia Information
	Complete Moisture Plus – Linked to Keratitis Vision Loss Complete Moisture Plus by Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) is being recalled. Recent studies show individuals that use Complete Moisture Plus may be 7 times more likely to get a parastic eye infection called Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK). Acanthamoeba keratitis can cause serious eye infections capable of causing vision loss requiring corneal transplants to repair. Complete Moisture Plus Information
	Elidel – Has a FDA "Black Box" Cancer Risk Warning Elidel (pimecrolimus) research, by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), shows that the two eczema creams Elidel and Protopic (Tacrolimus) are absorbed into the body and can cause skin cancer and lymphoma. The creams will carry a "black box" warning, which is the strongest warning carried on drugs and medicines. Elidel Information
	Ephedra – Causes Strokes, Heart Attacks, and Death Ephedra (ephedra sinica) or Ma Huang, and other products containing these extracts, have caused hundreds of illnesses including heart attacks, seizures, strokes and dozens of reported deaths. They are amphetamine-like compounds with powerful and potentially lethal stimulant effects on the central nervous system and the heart. There is also evidence that these amphetamine-like compounds may in fact cause pulmonary hypertension as well. Ephedra Information
	Fosamax – Connected with Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) Fosamax (alendronate sodium) is prescribed to treat osteoporosis and Paget's disease. Fosamax is manufactured by Merck. Fosamax is a type of drug known as bisphosphonates. Recently, a medical study revealed a connection between Fosamax, and other bisphosphonates, and a serious bone disease called Osteonecrosis of the Jaw. Fosamax Information
	Ketek – Linked to Severe Liver Problems Ketek (telithromycin), manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis, was approved in 2004 for the treatment of acute bacterial infections from chronic bronchitis, acute bacterial sinusitis and community-acquired pneumonia. On January 20, 2006, researchers reported three cases of severe liver problems, including one death, in patients at a North Carolina hospital after they began taking the antibiotic Ketek. The FDA is continuing to evaluate the issue of liver problems in association with use of Ketek in order to determine if labeling changes or other actions are warranted. Ketek Information
	Ortho Evra – Linked to Blood Clots, Heart Attacks & Stroke Ortho Evra (norelgestromin; ethinyl estradiol) or Ortho Evra Patch by Johnson & Johnson has been linked to the deaths of at least seventeen young American women over the past two years. The contraceptive patch increases the consumers risk of bloot clots, heart attack and stroke by twice that of traditional oral contraceptives. On September 20, 2006, study results were released that confirmed previous Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concerns regarding an increased risk of blood clots associated with Ortho Evra patch use. Ortho Evra Patch Information
	ReNu – Linked to Eye Infections and Fusarium Keratitis ReNu by Bausch & Lomb has been linked to a serious fungal infection of the eye in soft contact lens wearers in the U.S. The infection, a fungal keratitis caused by the Fusarium fungus, may cause vision loss requiring corneal transplants. On May 15, 2006, Bausch & Lomb announced its decision to permanently remove all ReNu with MoistureLoc products worldwide. ReNu Information
	Seroquel – Linked to Diabetes Seroquel (quetiapine fumarate) is an oral medication used to manage the symptoms of schizophrenia. Manufactured by AstraZeneca, Seroquel has been linked to a higher incidence of diabetes. Data from a recent medical conference in Philadelphia showed patients on Seroquel had 3.34 times as many cases of diabetes as those on traditional antipsychotic medications. Seroquel Information
	Tequin – Linked to Severe Blood Sugar Problems Tequin (gatifloxacin) by pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb, is to be pulled from the market. On May 1, 2006, Bristol-Myers Squibb stated that it will cease making and selling its antibiotic Tequin. Approved by the FDA in 1999, Tequin has been plagued by serious blood-sugar complications such as serious cases of diabetes and other potentially fatal blood sugar abnormalities. The consumer group Public Citizen claims Tequin carries greater health risks but fewer benefits over similar drugs. Tequin Information
	Zometa – May Cause Jaw Problems and Jaw Bone Decay Zometa (zoledronic acid) alarmed the FDA and its manufacturer Novartis into notifying dental healthcare professionals of revisions to the prescribing information. These revisions describe the occurrence of Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) observed in cancer patients receiving treatment with intravenous bisphosphonates, which include Zometa. Zometa Information

No Longer Accepting Cases Below This Line

	Bextra – Increases Risk of Cardiovascular Injuries Bextra (valdecoxib) is in a class of drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is also a COX-2 inhibitor like Vioxx and Celebrex. The Bextra drug works by reducing substances in the body that cause inflammation, pain, and fever, and is used to reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis and adult rheumatoid arthritis and painful menstruation.
	Celebrex – Increases Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke Celebrex (celecoxib) reduces substances in the body that cause inflammation, pain, and fever, and is used to reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis and adult rheumatoid arthritis. Recent clinical studies of Celebrex however, indicate a significant increase in heart attack and sudden cardiac deaths with Celebrex users. Celebrex is a COX-2 inhibitors similar to Vioxx and Bextra.
	Crestor – Linked to Kidney Damage and Kidney Failure Crestor (rosuvastatin calcium) has been linked to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. Crestor, a synthetic lipid-lowering agent, is a prescription drug used to treat patients with high cholesterol. Manufactured by AstraZeneca and approved by the FDA in August 2003, Crestor is one of a handful of cholesterol-lowering drugs referred to as statins. Crestor Information
	Vioxx – Increases Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke Vioxx (rofecoxib), as a recent study financed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration shows, can make a patient up to three (3) times more likely to suffer a heart attack and can also increase the risk of stroke and excessive bleeding. Merck & Co., the makers of Vioxx, have announced that they are pulling Vioxx because of these risks. Merck & Co.'s arthritis drug Vioxx may have led to more than 27,000 cases of heart attack and sudden cardiac death (SCD), or cardiac arrest, before it was pulled from the market. Vioxx is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and is in a class of drugs commonly referred to as a "COX-2 inhibitors." COX-2 inhibitors include Vioxx, Celebrex and Bextra.
	Zyprexa – May Cause Diabetes or Diabetic Ketoacidosis Zyprexa (olanzapine) is manufactured by Eli Lilly & Co. to treat schizophrenia, bi-polar disorders and some other psychotic mental disorders. Approved by the FDA in 1996, Zyprexa has been prescribed to over 6 million people worldwide. In September of 2003 a possible link between Zyprexa causing diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis in consumers surfaced. Zyprexa Information

Confidential Medical Liability Lawsuit Case Evaluation

Each year, thousands of people die from or are seriously injured by prescription and over-the-counter drugs they believe to be safe. If you or a loved one have taken a defective drug, experienced problems with a defective medical device or used a defective product, then contact us immediately. If you or a loved one has suffered serious medical conditions or side effects, please fill out our free and confidential injury evaluation form by clicking the link below, or if you prefer, call us toll free at 1-800-883-9858 to speak with a lawyer.