Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, founding member and partner
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has now officially linked cholesterol-reducing drugs to cognitive problems, diabetes and muscle pain. Some important safety labeling changes are now to be included on these drugs, generally known as statins, including Lipitor, Lescol, Mevacor, Altoprev, Livalo, Pravachol, Crestor, and Zocor, as well as several combination products.
According to the director for the Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology Products in the Office of Drug Evaluation II in FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, “We want health care professionals and patients to have the most current information on the risks of statins, but also to assure them that these medications continue to provide an important health benefit of lowering cholesterol.”
Currently, more than 20 million Americans take some form of statin medication. While the benefits of these drugs are certainly not disputed, the FDA’s ongoing review of medical literature, clinical trial data and reports of adverse events prompted the new cautions.
Listed below are the specific labeling changes that will be required:
If you or a member of your family are currently taking any of the listed statin medications for the reduction of cholesterol, please consult with your personal physician to determine the potential risks of these drugs. Patients should report any side-effects to their physician. As with any medications, do not attempt to quit taking your prescriptions without consulting a medical professional first. Doing so often causes unintended medical complications.
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About the author:
Mr. Zambri is a Board-Certified Civil Trial Attorney and Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. The association has recently named him the ” 2011 Trial Lawyer of the Year“. He has also been acknowledged by Washingtonian magazine as a “Big Gun” and among the “top 1%” of all of the more than 80,000 lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also acknowledged him as “one of Washington’s best–most honest and effective lawyers” who specializes in medical malpractice matters, product liability claims, and serious automobile accident claims. Mr. Zambri was recently (2011 edition) acknowledged as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” by Best Lawyers, and has also been repeatedly named a “Super Lawyer” by Law and Politics magazine (2011)–a national publication that honors the top lawyers in the country.
Mr. Zambri is regularly asked to present seminars to lawyers and doctors, as well as both medical and law students concerning defective drugs, medication errors, medical malpractice litigation, and safety improvements.
If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at [email protected]. You may also reach him at 202-822-1899.