Many prescription drugs have side effects. In fact, drug companies frequently include a list of side effects on their drugs’ labels and packaging (not because they want to, but because they are required to do so under federal law). Patients should read these lists carefully, and they should make an informed decision about whether the risk of experiencing side effects is outweighed by the benefits of taking the drug.

But, side effects aren’t the only risks that many prescription drugs present.

Along with side effects, prescription drugs frequently present risks for other adverse consequences as well. While these adverse consequences are relatively rare (in most cases), they can have drastic consequences for the patients who experience them. Additionally, since drug companies often heavily promote their drugs to healthcare providers and patients, even if only a small percentage of patients experience a negative outcome, this can still mean that thousands—if not tens of thousands—of people suffer adverse consequences for which they received no prior warning.

Side Effects vs. Complications from Dangerous Prescription Drugs

Generally speaking, side effects from prescription drugs are classified as “mild,” and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows drug companies to market medications with known side effects as long as they disclose them properly. When drug companies properly disclose side effects, experiencing these side effects generally won’t provide patients with grounds to seek just compensation.

However, there is a big difference between disclosed side effects and undisclosed health risks. In recent years, we have seen (and been involved in) litigation involving numerous types of undisclosed health risks associated with prescription drugs. In many cases, these risks have nothing to do with the reason why the drug is prescribed. There have been recent cases of:

• Chemotherapy drugs causing vision loss;
• Thyroid eye disease (TED) drugs causing hearing loss;
• Blood pressure medications causing cancer; and,
• Diabetes and weight loss drugs causing non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).

This is just a small sampling of numerous recent mass tort cases filed by patients across the United States against drug companies in the U.S. and abroad.

With this in mind, as a patient, it is important to be aware of the side effects of any prescription drugs you are taking. However, it is also important to pay attention to any other unexpected symptoms you experience after starting treatment with a prescription drug. If your symptoms don’t align with one of the drug’s disclosed side effects, this could be a sign that you need treatment for a different (and potentially more serious) medical complication.

What To Do if You (or a Loved One) Experiences Side Effects or Other Complications from a Prescription Drug

With this in mind, what should you do if you (or a loved one) experience side effects or other complications from a prescription drug? As soon as possible, you should:

• Seek Medical Treatment – Any time you have concerns about a side effect or other potential medical complication, you should seek medical treatment promptly. After performing the necessary tests, your doctor should be able to tell you if you are dealing with a mild side effect that is likely to go away on its own or something more serious.
• Follow Your (or Your Loved One’s) Doctor’s Advice – If your (or your loved one’s) doctor says that medical intervention is necessary, you should follow his or her advice. Now is not the time to take chances. If you have questions, you can seek a second opinion, but you should not simply ignore a doctor’s concerns about a potential drug-related complication.
• Keep Your Records – Complications from prescription medications can provide patients and their families with clear legal rights. To protect your legal rights, you should keep as many records as possible. This includes not only your (or your loved one’s) prescription but all medical records from diagnosing and treating your (or your loved one’s) complications as well.
• Learn About Your Legal Rights – Drug companies that sell dangerous prescription drugs can be held fully accountable under the law. If you have a claim against a drug company, you will want to start learning about your legal rights. Our overview of dangerous drug claims is a good place to start.
• Schedule a Free, No–Obligation Consultation – While it can be helpful to read about your legal rights, there is no substitute for one-on-one legal advice that is custom-tailored to your individual circumstances. Talking to a lawyer about your legal rights costs nothing, and it will be well worth your time to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.

Of course, these aren’t the only steps you need to take, and if you have a defective drug claim, talking to a lawyer will be just the beginning of the process. But these steps are extremely important, and they will help you avoid jeopardizing your claim before you obtain legal representation.

Never Ignore the Side Effects of a Prescription Drug

To be clear, while side effects may not warrant legal action (although, in some cases, they will), side effects from prescription drugs still need to be taken seriously. While side effects are “mild” in most cases, some can have life-altering, or even life-threatening, consequences. For example, allergic reactions are often classified as side effects; however, they can potentially be fatal for patients who are severely allergic to the ingredients used to manufacture their prescription drugs. In short, patients and family members should take all adverse reactions seriously, and if you have any questions about your legal rights, you should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.

Speak with a Dangerous Drug Lawyer at Searcy Denney for Free

Do you need to learn about your legal rights after experiencing (or after a loved one has experienced) serious side effects or other complications from a prescription drug? If so, we encourage you to contact us promptly. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a dangerous drug lawyer at Searcy Denney, give us a call at 800-780-8607 or tell us how we can help online today.

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