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Zelnorm Withdrawn
The Food and Drug Administration has requested that Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. voluntarily discontinue marketing of Zelnorm (tegaserod) based on the recently identified finding of an increased risk of serious cardiovascular adverse events associated with use of the drug. Novartis has agreed to voluntarily suspend marketing of the drug in the United States; it is currently marketed in 55 other countries. A review of data from 18,000 patients showed that a statistically significant number of people taking Zelnorm had more heart attacks and strokes. [LOS ANGELES TIMES]

If you or a loved one has suffered a heart attack or stroke while taking Zelnorm, please contact an [ZELNORM] lawyer who will review your claim at no charge.

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Aging Hormones
According to a new analysis of data from a landmark government study, the older a post menopausal woman is, the more likely hormone therapy will increase her risk of heart disease. On average, US women go through menopause at 51. The largest difference in heart disease risk and overall deaths between hormone therapy and placebo was seen in women 70 to 79; the difference was greatest among women 60 or older with hot flashes. Extended use of hormone therapy such as Prempro could still be harmful and estrogen plus progestin still raised stroke risk in women 50 to 59. [NEW YORK TIMES]

If you have developed cancer or heart disease while, during, or after taking HRT, please contact an [PREMPRO] lawyer who will review your claim at no charge.

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VA Death Probe
Local and federal officials are investigating the recent deaths of five men who were being cared for by the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The men were were being cared for in residential rehabilitation programs or emergency housing and all are believed to have died of drug overdose. The deaths come amid rising concern for the ability of military and Veteran Affairs hospitals to treat the influx of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, other mental illnesses and substance abuse problems. [LOS ANGELES TIMES]

If you are a veteran and have suffered injuries or negligence at a VA hospital, please contact a [VA MED MAL] lawyer who will review your claim at no charge.

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Risky Combo
Arthritis sufferers who take the painkiller ibuprofen may be increasing their risk of heart attacks and strokes. The popular over-the-counter painkiller can be found in Advil and Motrin. US researchers found that people at high risk for heart attacks were put at even greater risk by taking ibuprofen, as it appeared to interfere with the blood-thinning drug aspirin. High-risk patients taking both aspirin and ibuprofen were nine times more likely to have heart attacks and strokes compared to patients who were taking a cox-2 inhibitor pain reliever. [FORBES]

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Double Cancer
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has informed the nation that the number of diagnosed cancer cases will more than double between 2000 and 2030. The reasons for the increase included population growth, increased life expectancies, and the transfer of cancer risk factors such as smoking to the developing worlds. In 2000 there were 11 million new cases of diagnosed cancer worldwide, seven million deaths from cancer, and 25 million people living with cancer. The agency expects that by the year 2030, there will be 27 million cases of cancer, 17 million deaths from cancer and 75 million people living with cancer. [WASHINGTON POST]

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Pregnancy Weight Gain
A new study suggests part of North America's childhood obesity epidemic may be traced back to the womb. Harvard University researchers found pregnant women who gained weight within medical guidelines were about four times more likely to have children who were overweight at age 3 compared to those who remained slimmer while expecting. The study notes that Health Canada and the US Institute of Medicine should refine their recommended weight gains during pregnancy. [FOX NEWS]

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Premature Pressure
Depression during pregnancy can increase the risk of premature birth as such mothers were found to have significantly higher levels of a stress hormone which is known to initiate birth. The small study discovered that levels of corticotrophin-releasing hormone were higher in depressed women and those women went on to give birth an average of two days earlier than non-depressed mothers. Also, depressed mothers were more likely to have premature births, defined as a baby born before 37 weeks. [GUARDIAN UNLIMITED]

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Name of Autism
A new study suggests that some babies who fail to respond to their name by one year of age may be at heightened risk for an autism spectrum disorder. The disorder is not usually diagnosed until the ages of three or four, but 50% of parents whose children end up being diagnosed with autism have concerns before the child’s first birthday. Early identification can mean possible early intervention and better outcomes for affected children. The Harvard study also found that each child diagnosed with autism will accrue about $3.2 million in medical and non-medical costs over his or her lifetime. [DAILY MAIL]

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Walk Off Menopause
A Penn State University study reveals that women involved in a regular exercise program reported better quality of life during menopause compared with those who did not exercise. Menopause typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. Roughly 1.5 million women reach menopause each year in the United States and 80 to 85 percent typically experience symptoms such as irritability, mood swings, hot flashes and night sweats. The study found that hour long walks three times a week significantly improved mood and irritability. [BOSTON GLOBE]

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Dirty Depression
A recent study by researchers at University College London and the University of Bristol found soil bacteria helped fight depression by activating a group of neurons that produce the brain chemical serotonin. Human cancer patients being treated with the bacteria Mycobacterium vaccae unexpectedly reported increases in their quality of life. A lack of serotonin is linked with depression in people. The British scientists suggest that the friendly bacteria found in soil may affect the brain in a similar way to antidepressants. [BBC NEWS]

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ARTICLES
New Articles Posted Daily: [April 2007 Big Pharma Litigation Update - Drugs Part I]

[News Articles and Interviews] posted daily regarding lawsuits filed, settlements reached and verdicts rendered in legal cases dealing with personal injury news, defective product news, bad drugs news and other news issues.

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LEGAL HELP
Free case evaluation. If you have suffered damages from prescription drugs or other harmful agents, please [FILL IN THIS FORM]. This is a free service.

• Charité Spinal Disc alleging the disc replacements were not adequately tested, cause increased pain, and may require risky surgical procedures...
• Composix Kugel Mesh Patches alleging the memory recoil ring has the potential to break and cause bowel perforation or chronic enteric fistulae...
• Dostinex allegedly causes valvular heart disease...
• Elidel allegedly causing severe side effects, liver damage or death...
• Ketek allegedly causes lymphoma and breast cancer...
• Ortho Evra allegedly causing fatal blood clots, heart attack, and stroke...
• Panacryl Sutures alleging problems with non-absorption, infection, granulomas, and more...
• Paxil allegedly causes birth defects and infant death...
• Peanut Butter alleging Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter is contaminated with salmonella...
• Permax alleging serious heart valve damage...
• PPH alleging Fen-Phen and other drugs cause primary pulmonary hypertension...
• Prempro alleging increase in breast cancer and heart disease...
• Protopic allegedly causes lymphoma and cancer in adults and children...
• ReNu allegedly linked to severe eye infections...
• Seroquel allegedly contributing to diabetes...
• SSRI allegedly causing birth defects, including heart defects and PPHN...
• Xolair allegedly linked to anaphylaxis...
• Zelnorm allegedly linked to heart attack, stroke, and death...



• Other health related legal issues.

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