Most Americans have some kind of illness or disease, and many have tried over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to treat it. However, not all of these drugs are safe for use and can harm your health. In some cases, they may even cause death.
Over-the-counter medication lawsuits are one way that people who were harmed by a drug can seek compensation for their injuries. Below you’ll find information on popular over-the-counter medicine lawsuits in America so you know if any affect you:
Zantac Lawsuits
Zantac lawsuits are filed by people who have suffered from liver damage after using the drug.
In the 1980s, the FDA approved a medication called Zantac for over-the-counter use. Zantac is an antacid that can be used to treat heartburn and other stomach problems. It is also used to treat ulcers in people with Barrett’s Esophagus, a rare condition where cells lining the esophagus turn into tissue that looks like normal esophageal tissue.
In 2006, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) agreed to pay $1 billion to settle claims that it illegally promoted off-label uses of Zantac and Pepcid (another OTC product). They also admitted no wrongdoing but agreed not to promote any drugs off-label again until 2018.
Zantac has also faced many recent legal claims made by people who took Zantac with NDMA-contaminated ranitidine, because of which they developed cancer. Its generic manufacturers had agreed to pay 500,000 USD in a settlement in August 2022, a week before its first lawsuit trial was to begin.
Tylenol Autism ADHD Lawsuit
Tylenol is a brand name for acetaminophen, which is a pain reliever and fever reducer. It’s used in many over-the-counter medications, including Tylenol products.
Acetaminophen has been linked to autism and ADHD after numerous studies have shown that prenatal exposure to the drug can increase your child’s risk of developing these conditions later in life.
That being said, the Tylenol lawsuit isn’t just about the dangers of taking acetaminophen while pregnant. It also alleges that Johnson & Johnson knew about these risks but failed to warn consumers about them.
Pradaxa Lawsuits
Pradaxa is a blood thinner that has been linked to serious side effects. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first issued an alert regarding the drug in 2011, when it required a warning on Pradaxa’s label about the risk of bleeding.
In 2012, the FDA ordered that a black box warning be added to Pradaxa’s label for increased risk of bleeding. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) also added similar warnings after receiving reports of thrombotic events in patients taking Pradaxa for postoperative atrial fibrillation.
Pradaxa lawsuits have been filed across America and Canada as well as Europe. There have been 4,000 plus lawsuits filed by Pradaxa patients, many of which were resolved in a $ 650 million settlement.
Bayer Aspirin Lawsuits
Many lawsuits have been filed against Bayer, makers of Bayer aspirin (also known as “generic aspirin”). These lawsuits claim that the manufacturer did not warn doctors or patients about the risk of internal bleeding when taking this medication.
It is alleged that if consumers had been properly warned about this danger, they would have taken other steps to protect themselves instead of taking Bayer products.
Mirena IUD Lawsuits
Mirena IUD lawsuits are a popular class action lawsuit that has received a lot of attention in the media in recent years. The FDA recently issued a warning about the potential side effects of Mirena birth control devices.
The Mirena IUD is a small plastic T-shaped device used for birth control (it is also known as a contraceptive implant). The device contains levonorgestrel, which prevents pregnancy by impeding sperm from fertilizing an egg.
These medications have been used for more than 20 years now without any problems reported by doctors or consumers until very recently when several women filed lawsuits claiming their health was put at risk because these devices resulted in perforations inside their uterus walls that required surgical repair procedures at high costs (upwards $20K-$30K).
Takeaway:
Over-the-counter medications are used by millions of Americans. As per Statista, its total revenue in 2022 amounts to 26.85 billion USD, and per person revenue generation for the year is 80.20 USD.
However, these drugs have many potentially dangerous side effects that can cause serious injuries to the people who take them. If you or someone you know has been injured by over-the-counter medicine, it’s essential to know your rights and how to seek legal assistance.
