Antibiotics can have life-saving effects and play an important role in modern medical care. However, their excessive prescribing and side effects may sometimes cause more harm than good. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), doctors prescribed over 266 million courses of antibiotics in the United States. At least 30% of the time, the patient’s condition does not require antibiotics. Additionally, pharmaceutical companies regularly receive complaints and face legal claims due to undisclosed side effects that call into question the safety of their antibiotics.
If you or a loved one took antibiotics and suffered serious side effects as a result, Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you determine if you have a case. Call us at (800) 794-0444 to speak with our legal team today.
Dangerous Side Effects of Antibiotic Drugs
The medical community tout’s antibiotics as universally safe, but while they often resolve infections without incident, they may also cause serious adverse effects. Doctors should exercise care in determining whether the condition requires antibiotic treatment, the type of antibiotic that suits the patients, and the appropriate dosing.
When doctors prescribe antibiotics too frequently, bacteria mutate and create superbugs that resist antibiotic treatment. While pharmaceutical companies regularly shell out antibiotics with dangerous side effects, an article in the Guardian notes that few will take on the challenge of working on more efficient drugs because it cuts into their profit. If you suffered a drug injury while taking a prescribed antibiotic, a Los Angeles antibiotics lawyer can help you seek compensation.
Liver Injury
According to the University of Michigan Health System, antibiotics cause more liver injuries than any other type of medication or supplement. While certain drugs, particularly over-the-counter analgesics like Tylenol, carry a known risk of liver damage with extended use, antibiotics can cause liver damage regardless of the dose or duration of treatment. Antibiotics that may cause liver injury include azithromycin, which doctors commonly prescribe as a Z-Pak, and the penicillin drug amoxicillin/clavulanate (Augmentin).
For a free legal consultation with a Antibiotics Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
Tendon and Nervous System Damage
One class of antibiotics, fluoroquinolones, carries an increased risk of severe drug injuries that affect the muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems. Reported side effects include:
- Tendon rupture
- Joint pain and swelling
- Muscle pain and weakness
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Central nervous system damage causing psychological effects
Because of these risks, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommends that doctors prescribe fluoroquinolones only as a last resort as the risks may outweigh the benefits. Victims continue to file lawsuits against the manufacturers of fluoroquinolone drugs Cipro, Levaquin, and Avelox for failing to warn them about the severe adverse effects they experienced. If you suffered dangerous side effects while taking these or other fluoroquinolone drugs, a Los Angeles antibiotics lawyer can help you seek compensation for your injuries.
Los Angeles Antibiotics Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Birth Defects
Recent studies show that the use of certain antibiotics deemed safe for pregnancy can cause birth defects. Researchers found that when pregnant women took a type of antibiotic known as a macrolide during their first trimester, the risk of cardiovascular malformation increased when compared to the use of penicillin. Common macrolide drugs include:
- Azithromycin (Z-Pak/Zithromax)
- Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
- Erythromycin
If your baby suffered birth defects caused by an antibiotic prescribed to you during pregnancy, the attorneys at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you build your case. Contact us online, and our legal team will call you as soon as possible to discuss the details.
Click to contact our Antibiotics Lawyers today
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
A painful and potentially fatal disorder, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) typically results from a drug reaction. Doctors know that certain medications, such as anticonvulsants, anti-gout drugs, pain relievers, and sulfa antibiotics, can cause SJS as a serious side effect. However, recent research reveals that other antibiotics, particularly penicillin drugs, can also lead to SJS.
Patients who suffer from SJS may first experience flu-like symptoms, followed by a painful, widespread rash and blisters that cause the skin to peel off within days. If not treated, the condition can lead to serious complications and death. If you or a loved one took a form of penicillin that caused Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, a Los Angeles antibiotics lawyer can help you hold the pharmaceutical company responsible for their negligence.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Compensation for Antibiotic Drug Injuries
Pharmaceutical companies have an obligation to protect consumers through adequate testing and full disclosure of medication risks. When they fail to follow ethical and legal guidelines, patients can suffer serious drug injuries as a result. If you experienced dangerous side effects of an antibiotic drug, you may qualify for certain types of compensation, including:
- Medical bills and healthcare expenses related to your illness or injury
- Loss of wages and/or loss of future income
- Pain and suffering for your emotional trauma
How a Los Angeles Antibiotics Lawyer Can Help You
The difficulty with pursuing a legal claim often prevents victims from coming forward. While the process of filing a lawsuit in California can be complex, you do not have to face it alone. If you suffered a drug injury, an attorney can help you by getting to know the details of your case, conducting an investigation and gathering the documentation you need to hold the pharmaceutical company responsible, and seeking financial awards on your behalf.
Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to Get Started
The lawyers at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm have over 50 years of combined experience representing thousands of clients. We understand the importance of holding manufacturers accountable for the harm they cause, and we take seeking the justice and compensation you deserve seriously. You do not pay us any fees until we win for you. Contact us today at (800) 794-0444 to speak with our legal team about your free case evaluation.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form