Where the known risks and complications are not disclosed to the consumer of the drug through his or her physician, the consumer may have available a claim as a result of the use of a defective drug and has the legal right to seek compensation and damages from the company that marketed the drug absent a warning. 

    Examples of the dangers with drugs not made know to the consumer include Paxil.  Paxil, also known as Paroxetine, is a medication used to treat depression, panic attacks, associated compulsive disorders, social phobias, post traumatic stress disorder and generalized anxiety disorders.  When taken by women during a pregnancy, there is an increased risk of birth defects in children born to mothers who took the drug. 

    Vioxx, a medication eventually withdrawn from the market by the manufacturer, was known to cause an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes before it was marketed.  After claims were filed against the Vioxx manufacturer, documents were discovered in the possession of the manufacturer which linked Vioxx with heart damage years before the manufacturer finally admitted Vioxx could cause harm to people who took the medication.   

    A number of knowledgeable professionals involved in drug regulation believe the Food & Drug Administration is incapable of providing safe drugs to the American public.  The FDA is often criticized for having strong connections with the drug manufacturers which many believe prohibits FDA from reviewing the drug applications as it should.         

    Pharmaceutical companies are required by the Food & Drug Administration to provide patients and their physicians with adequate and accurate information regarding known dangers associated with the use of the medication.  Where such a pharmaceutical company fails to provide the consumer and his physician with vital information, the pharmaceutical company may be held legally liable for the injuries and damages which result in complications not made known to the consumer and his or her physician.  Some examples of medication and risk which may not have been made known to the consumer’s physician include (1) Plavix: the risk of ulcers, hemorrhage and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura; (2) Procrit: increased risk of heart attacks and blood clots; (3) Heparin: injuries caused by an incorrect dosing resulting in abnormally  high amounts of heparin given to patients while they are in the hospital resulting in bleeding and/or death; (4) Fosamax: the development of osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients undergoing dental surgery who were taking Fosamax; and (5) Zyprexa: the increased risk of diabetes and ketoacidosis in patients taking Zyprexa.