New drugs and forms of medication are being developed every day for use in the United States. Through continuous use of these drugs in the medical field, doctors often recognize that drugs approved for one type of use can also be helpful to cure other ailments. Under some circumstances, this is a good thing, but it can become very dangerous.
The FDA requires all drugs to be approved before being sold to the public. However, the FDA only approves them for one specific use. That is why using drugs for a purpose other than that which they were created can become dangerous for the patient.
The side-effects of prescription medications account for nearly 100,000 deaths annually in the United States.
After a doctor prescribes you a new medication you should verify what it was developed to treat. If you feel your doctor is using an off-label medication, don’t hesitate to ask him why he is prescribing it and about the drug’s side-effects.
Proving negligence when a doctor prescribes drugs for off-label use can be difficult. The prescription of drugs for off-label use is not negligence in and of itself. Not only do you have to prove that your doctor prescribed you medication for an off-label use, but you also have to prove that your doctor did not meet the appropriate standard of care.
If your doctor failed to meet the correct standard of care when prescribing you a drug for off-label use and you were injured as a result, you may have a claim for medical malpractice.
It is important that you contact a personal injury lawyer right away. An attorney will help you determine whether you or someone you love were the victim of medical malpractice as a result of off-label drug use. With this type of medical malpractice being so difficult to prove, you shouldn’t try to figure it out alone.
You have to call me right away at 1 (800) 556-4769. As your Ohio Medical Malpractice Lawyer, I’ll be there for you, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Author: Tim Misny | For more than 33 years, personal injury lawyer Tim Misny has represented the injured victim in birth injury, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injury/wrongful death cases, serving “Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Columbus & Cincinnati, Ohio.” You can reach Tim by email at tmisny@misnylaw.com or call at 1 (800) 556-4769.