Prescription medication is part of daily life for millions of Americans. While these drugs may be prescribed by medical professionals, they can be dangerous if not monitored correctly.

Prozac

Prozac is used to treat depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, attention deficit hyper-activity disorder (ADHD), eating disorders, panic attacks, and anxiety. It helps balance chemicals in the brain and is sometimes used together with other medications to treat depression and/or bipolar disorder. Prozac controls levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin affects mood, agitation, anxiety and sleep.

However, studies on children have linked the drug to increased suicidal thoughts and behavior. As a result, the FDA has issued a public warning on the use of Prozac for children and young adults as old as 24. Prozac can also produce a condition of constant agitation known as akathasia. It is estimated that 10-25% of Prozac users experience this side effect, and it has been linked with an increase in suicidal thoughts, hostility and violent behavior.

Xarelto

Xarelto is used to prevent blood clots forming due to irregular heartbeat or after hip or knee replacement surgery. It is also used to treat blood clots (such as in deep vein thrombosis) and to prevent them from forming again.

In 2015, Xarelto was the drug with the highest number of cases with serious injury reported to the FDA. The most serious adverse effect is bleeding, including severe internal bleeding. There is currently no antidote for Xarelto (unlike older blood thinners, which can be reversed with Vitamin K), meaning that serious uncontrolled bleeding can result in life threatening complications.

Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic pain control drug, similar to morphine, but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It used to treat people with severe pain, like pain after surgery, or to treat patients with chronic pain.

While common side effects include euphoria, drowsiness, nausea, confusion, and constipation, fentanyl carries a serious danger of addiction, overdose, causing breathing to stop, leading to coma, and death. The death rates from overdoses of fentanyl have increased by about 72% between 2014 and 2015, according to a new CDC study.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from prescription medication, you need to speak with a qualified personal injury lawyer immediately. At The Paris Firm, we are prepared to assist you. Contact The Paris Firm today to schedule a consultation about your case.