You may have seen a lot of information about various drugs causing serious and life-threatening injuries. Most drugs have side effects — the commercials for drugs have an extensive list (read very quickly and quietly) of potential side effects. You may ask your doctor it taking the drug is worth the risk of developing one of the side effects. It is important for you to discuss the pros and cons of taking any drug with your doctor before deciding on a treatment.
Unfortunately, some drugs have an unanticipated reaction with another drug, or your body reacts to the drug differently from other patients. However, some drugs cause harm to the patient that is not disclosed in the list of side effects. Two of the common injuries that we see from dangerous drugs include kidney injuries and liver injuries.
The Signs and Symptoms of a Kidney Injury
Many drugs interact with the kidneys in ways that the drug manufacturing may not have disclosed. Because the kidneys are essential for the removal of waste and the balance of electrolytes, any injury to the kidneys can be life-threatening. Some patients who suffer kidney injuries from defective drugs face a lifetime of painful dialysis.
Some symptoms of damage to the kidneys may not be immediately recognizable. If a drug is known to have potentially damaging effects on your kidneys, your doctor may require regular tests to ensure the kidneys are functioning properly.
Symptoms of kidney problems include:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue or weakness
- Vomiting
- Swelling of feet or ankles
- High blood pressure
- Sleep problems
- Muscle cramps
- Persistent itching
For the full list, see the Mayo Clinic website and consult your physician. You should report all symptoms to your doctor immediately, regardless of whether they are on a list of potential side effects.
The Signs and Symptoms of a Liver Injury
The liver filters chemicals and toxins; therefore, an injury to the liver can be devastating. Like our kidneys, our bodies cannot function without a liver. Sadly, some patients can use dialysis when their kidneys fail, but there is not a machine that can take the place of our liver.
Doctors often monitor liver function when certain medications that can damage the liver are used to treat the patient. Your doctor can provide you with a complete list of symptoms. The Mayo Clinic has a list of common signs of liver damage on its website. Some of those signs are:
- Yellowish or jaundice skin tone
- Swelling of the ankles and legs
- Chronic fatigue
- Easily bruises
- Vomiting or nausea
- Itching skin
- Abdominal swelling and pain
- Urine is a dark color
- Oddly colored or bloody stool
Report any symptoms to your doctor immediately!
Call a Nationwide Dangerous Drug Attorney for Help
If you believe you have been injured by a defective drug or dangerous drug, our nationwide defective drug lawyers can help. Our firm is based in New Orleans, but we represent clients throughout the nation.
Contact Attorney Fred Olinde of The Olinde Firm by calling (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889 to request a free consultation with a New Orleans defective drug attorney.