There are many types of commonly prescribed medications that have been found to seriously increase the potential for strokes, heart attacks, and other frequently fatal cardiovascular side effects in patients.
Medications commonly associated with cardiovascular side effects include ADHD medications, NSAID cox-2 inhibitors frequently prescribed for arthritis and other pain, hormone replacement therapy, and other common medications, both prescription and over the counter.
Some of the medications found to increase a patient’s risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular events include:
- Dexedrine, for ADHD
- Ritalin, for ADHD
- Concerta, for ADHD
- Adderall, for ADHD
- Vioxx, a Cox-2 inhibitor frequently prescribed for arthritis pain relief
- Celebrex, a Cox-2 inhibitor frequently prescribed for arthritis pain relief
- Bextra, a Cox-2 inhibitor frequently prescribed for arthritis pain relief
- Premarin, an estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy
- Prempro, a combination estrogen and progesterone hormone replacement therapy
- Aleve, an over the counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID
In the case of each of the above listed drugs, and others like them, studies and reports have shown varying increases in patients’ risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart attack and stroke.
Painkillers and Cardiovascular Side Effects
Many over-the-counter and prescription painkilling medications have been shown in studies to increase patients’ chances of suffering cardiovascular problems. These include both NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as Aleve, and Cox-2 inhibitors such as Vioxx and Celebrex.
In April of 2005, the FDA issued a public health advisory and a request for labeling changes on drugs of this type as a result of the mounting evidence of serious cardiovascular side effects from these and other Cox-2 Selective and Non-Selective Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). These boxed warnings alert patients of the potential problems with these medications, and recommend using the lowest effective doses to mitigate the damaging side effects.
ADHD Medications and Cardiovascular Side Effects
Another general category of medications that has been linked to cardiovascular events is ADHD medications. Most ADHD medications currently on the US market are amphetamine-based and classified as schedule II drugs, based on their high potential for abuse and addiction.
These medications have also been linked to severe cardiovascular problems, including stroke, heart attack, and sudden death, even in previously healthy subjects.
Hormone Therapy and Cardiovascular Side Effects
Many hormone replacement therapy (HRT) treatments have also been linked with cardiovascular side effects, including stroke, heart attack, and sudden death. A comprehensive study of the effects of both estrogen and estrogen – progesterone hormone treatments was halted suddenly as results were showing serious side effects in HRT patients, including both increased risks of certain types of cancer, and an increase in risk of cardiovascular events in postmenopausal women.
What You Can Do
If you or someone you love has suffered a stroke, heart attack, or other cardiovascular event as a result of either prescription or over the counter medications, you owe it to yourself and your family to consult with an experienced pharmaceutical injury attorney to evaluate your case and determine whether your injuries were the result of negligence on the part of the drug company or doctors responsible. Please contact us and we will help you find a defective drug lawyer who can help you.
