Tag: medication

Statins side-effects – Researchers run tests to see if they’re real or not!

pharmacy

Statins are a group of drugs commonly used to combat cholesterol levels. Here in the U.K., cardiovascular disease (CVD), otherwise known as ‘heart disease’, is a common cause of death. There are several types of CVD including coronary heart disease, angina and heart attacks. All can occur due to blood flow being restricted from getting to the heart.

Statins help to lower cholesterol, and as with any drug, it comes with its own side-effects including upset stomach; headaches; nausea; muscle aches and pains; and pins and needles. However, researchers suggested that side-effects from statins may not be real. As such, their theory was put to the test…
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Packaging mix-up of birth control pills could lead to unintended pregnancies

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Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc. have made a horrendous error with their packaging which could mess up birth control plans for many women.

On 30th May 2017, Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced a recall for one lot of Mibelas 24 Fe (Norethindrone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol 1mg/0.02mg chewable and ferrous fumarate 75mg) tablets after a customer complained there had been a mix-up with the packaging, missing expiry dates and incorrect lot information.

There’s a concern that the mix-up could result in women taking chemically inactive pills on days when they should be taking active tablets, and therefore risk unintended pregnancy.
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Breast cancer patients reportedly not being sufficiently warned about permanent side effects of Taxotere

Docetaxel, or more commonly known by its brand name Taxotere, is a medical drug used to treat cancer. The chemotherapy drug can be used to treat breast, head and neck, stomach, prostate and non small-cell cancerous cells.

For breast cancer patients it’s the most popular choice of treatment with 75% opting for Taxotere. However, it has since been revealed that manufacturers have not been quite so explicit with the effects the life-saving drug can have, and patients and physicians have reportedly been kept in the dark that Taxotere can cause permanent hair loss.
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The rising epidemic in opioid painkiller dependency

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There is reportedly a rising epidemic in opioid painkiller dependency for women who need C–sections for giving birth.

Though caesarean sections are only carried out when it’s considered to be the safest option for both mother and baby, around one in every four/five women in the U.K. have a caesarean. Recovering from a caesarean usually takes longer than a vaginal birth which is why painkillers are frequently prescribed; but according to Health Day, opioid painkillers are being over-prescribed.
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GPs and hospitals are unnecessarily prescribing antibiotics

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A recent survey shows that antibiotics and narcotics are often over-prescribed, with some experts worldwide suggesting that they’re frequently prescribed when they’re not necessary, and may actually do more harm than good.

The survey revealed that patients use antibiotics or narcotics despite guidelines showing little effectiveness of taking them. There is rising concern in the U.K. that the NHS are providing patients with services and products that aren’t needed, which is concerning from both a health and a cost perspective.
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Medical negligence compensation claims for prescription errors

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GP’s and pharmacists can easily make mistakes when it comes to prescribing medication. As scary as that may sound, it’s true! We have represented people for prescription errors for years.

There can be a number of reasons why mistakes happen when prescribing medication. Although some people may have a minor prescription error and not have severe side effects, there are those who do suffer serious complications.

If a person has been prescribed the incorrect medication, and has suffered adverse side effects, then they may be entitled to compensation if it was due to medical negligence.
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