Healthy Skepticism Library item: 8894

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Damages sought for neurologic side effects of drug
Citation 1972 Jan 1; 24:88-89

Abstract:

A patient who suffered neurologic side effects as a result of taking the drug Stelazine (trifluoperazine) was awarded $180,000 against the drug manufacturer and the prescribing physician (Lesser vs. Farb and Smith Kline & french Laboratories, N.J. Super. Ct., Essex Co., No. L-44353-67; 1971). In a suit against the prescribing physician, the woman charged him with negligence in continuing to prescribe the drug after she manifested such side effects as grimacing, blinking, and tremors, indicating an adverse reaction. She also sued the drug manufacturer, charging that information provided concerning the drug in the Physician’s Desk Reference was misleading and that package inserts indicated that side effects were rare and readily reversible.