A Medication Mistake Can Cause Serious Damage
Prescription drugs are supposed to make us healthier, not sicker. Each year, however, nearly 100,000 people in the United States die as a result of the side effects of drugs prescribed by doctors.
As many people have found out, being FDA-approved does not ensure that a drug is safe for all uses and all patients. If your doctor prescribed a drug that harmed you or a loved one, talk to Fairfax drug injury attorney Brien Roche about your legal rights.
Failure-to-Advise or Off-Label Use May Be the Cause of Drug Injury
All drugs have side effects. When a doctor prescribes a drug, the patient should be advised of potential side effects so that, if side effects occur, the patient can get back to the doctor for a change in prescription. A failure to advise about possible consequences can cause grave side effects up to and including death.
Off-label use means use of a drug that has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for that specific use. Drug manufacturers are prohibited from promoting off-label uses of their drugs. Doctors who prescribe drugs for off-label use need to advise the patient and be especially careful of patient reactions.
A patient's medical chart may indicate another condition or an allergy that makes prescribing a particular drug unsafe for that patient. The physician is responsible for ensuring the prescription and dose are appropriate.
Virginia Prescription Drug Error Lawyer · ·
At the Brien Roche law firm, we represent people who have been injured by medication mistakes. To set up an appointment, call or contact us by e-mail and tell us about your case. The consultation is free. From our office in McLean, we serve clients in Northern Virginia, suburban Maryland and the District of Columbia.
