When you take a prescription medication, you do so under the assumption that it will help your condition. In most cases, the medication does just that. However, here are times when a medication has serious side effects attached to its use. Some of these side effects may not even be listed on the information packet that came with the prescription.
If you begin having adverse side effects when you start taking a medication, you should make an appointment with your doctor immediately. You should not stop taking the medication, especially if it is a maintenance drug. If the side effects are too severe, go directly to the emergency room.
Keeping Informed About Possible Side Effects
When medications begin to be mass distributed, it is not uncommon for new side effects to appear. These side effects will be reported in updated versions of the information packet. The best way to stay informed, however, is to check the Food and Drug Administration website at www.FDA.gov. This website contains up-to-date and relevant information about all medications that are currently available on the market. If there have been any adverse events associated with the medication, there will be a public notice posted to the site.
You can also check the manufacturer’s website for any new information about their product. It should be noted that this information may be delayed. The manufacturer often does not change or report adverse effects of their product unless required to do so by the FDA. Additionally, when the FDA requires a change in the information packet, that change may not be seen for several months after the order was given.
As a final resource, you can check different medical sites on the Internet. Many hospitals and research centers will post information about adverse medication events that they have been tracking. Most of this information is posted in medical terms for research purposes and can be a little difficult to understand.
What To Do If You Have Been Harmed By A Dangerous Medication
If you have been taking a medication that has harmed you from the side effects, you may be entitled to receive compensation. A personal injury attorney that specializes in bad medication will be able to review the case and file the necessary claims for compensation.
You may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries, your medical care and expenses related to the side effects and pain and suffering if allowed under the laws of your state. During your initial consultation the attorney will be able to explain to you what your rights are under the law.
Overall, most medications perform to expectation without harming the patient. Most medications extend and enhance a person’s life and help with the condition intended. However, if there are problems with the medication that you are taking, you should seek immediate medical care and then speak to a personal injury attorney that specializes in dangerous medication cases.
Melanie Fleury takes several medications when she is suffering from pain due to an autoimmune disease. She has found that open communication with her doctors and continually educating herself on her prescriptions is a great way to avoid problems with medications. If you have suffered severe side effects due to the negligence of your medical provider or misinformation from a drug manufacturer, the attorneys of Bottar Leone at http://www.bottarlaw.com/albany-personal-injury-lawyer/ can help determine if you have a case worth pursuing.