Premature Babies Given Kaletra Oral Solution May Have Complications

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised that premature babies who receive Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) oral solution may suffer from serious health problems.  The solution contains the ingredients alcohol and propylene glycol.  Premature babies are more likely to have a decreased ability to eliminate propylene glycol leading to adverse events such as serious heart, kidney, or breathing problems.

Kaletra oral solution is an antiviral medication used in combination with other antiretroviral drugs for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in pediatric patients 14 days of age (whether premature or full term) or older and in adults.  Taking antiretroviral medications for HIV will not cure the infection, but can help children and adults with HIV-1 infection stay healthier for a longer period of time.

The use of Kaletra oral solution should be avoided in premature babies until 14 days after their due date, or in full-term babies younger than 14 days of age unless a healthcare professional believes that the benefit of using Kaletra oral solution to treat HIV infection immediately after birth outweighs the potential risks.  In such cases, FDA strongly recommends monitoring for increases in serum osmolality, serum creatinine, and other signs of toxicity.

The attorneys at Messa & Associates are experienced at handling cases involving pharmaceutical and drug product injuries.  Our extremely skilled team of attorneys and medical experts are dedicated to ensuring your family receives proper compensation to care for your child in the future.  If you believe your child may have suffered injury as a result of being administered the Kaletra oral solution, please contact us at 1-877-MessaLaw.

Skippy Reduced Fat Peanut Butter Recalled

Unilever United States, Inc. announced a recall of Skippy Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread and Skippy Reduced Fat Super Chunk Peanut Butter Spread.  The peanut butter is being recalled after a sampling conducted by the company revealed that these products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The affected product is packaged in 16.3 oz plastic jars with the UPCs 048001006812 and 048001006782 located on the side of the jar’s label below the bar code.

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems.  Healthy persons infected with Salmonella can experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.  In rare circumstances, the infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The product was distributed to retail stores in 16 states, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  Consumers who have purchased Skippy Reduced Fat Peanut Butter Spread affected by the recall should discard the product immediately.

The attorneys at Messa & Associates have successfully represented many victims of recalled products.  If you or a loved one has been ill as a result of consuming Skippy Reduced Fat Peanut Butter products involved in this recall, please contact us at 1-877-MessaLaw.

FDA Warns Pregnant Women of Topamax Risk

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has revealed new data that suggests the drug Topamax (topiramate) and its generic versions can increase the risk for the birth defects cleft lip and cleft palate in babies born to women who use the medication during pregnancy.

Topamax, marketed by Johnson & Johnson, is approved to treat certain types of seizures in people who have epilepsy.  However, the FDA states patients should be warned about the potential hazard to the fetus if a woman becomes pregnant while using the drug.

The FDA raised the drug's pregnancy category to D, which means there is evidence the drug can harm a human fetus, but there are situations where the drug's benefits to the mother could outweigh its risks.  They did not place the drug in category X, which means the drug should never be used by women who are or may become pregnant.

Data collected from a registry of pregnant women showed a higher rate of cleft lip and cleft palate in babies whose mothers were taking the drug during their first trimester of pregnancy.   Infants exposed to the drug had a 1.4 percent rate of mouth defects, more than three times greater than the rate seen with other seizure medications.  Mothers not taking any epilepsy medication delivered babies with mouth defects at a rate of .07 percent.

Dr. Russell Katz, M.D., director of the FDA's division of neurology products, cautions health care professionals to carefully consider the benefits and risks of topiramate when prescribing it to women of child-bearing age, according to a news release issued by the organization.  He added that alternative medications with a lower risk of birth defects should be considered.

Roughly 4.3 million patients filled prescriptions for the drug between 2007 and 2010.  The drug is also used to prevent migraine headaches.

The attorneys at Messa & Associates are experienced at handling cases involving birth injuries.  Our extremely skilled team of attorneys and medical experts are dedicated to ensuring your family receives proper compensation to care for the child in the future.  If you believe your child may have suffered birth defects as a result of the drug Topamax, please contact us at 1-877-MessaLaw.

Spiders Cause Mazda to Recall 65,000 Cars

Mazda has issued a recall of 65,000 cars after discovering spider webs in the vents.  A spider could weave a web in a vent connected to the fuel tank system and clog up the tank's ventilation.  Pressure on the fuel tank could lead to a crack, causing fuel leakage and the risk of a fire.

The automaker is recalling more than 50,000 Mazda6 cars from the 2009-2010 model years in the United States and an additional 15,000 vehicles in Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico.  The vehicles are equipped with V4 engines and were built from April 2008 to February 2010.

Dealers have identified 20 cases in which spider webs were found in the vents.

The attorneys at Messa and Associates have successfully represented many victims of defective automobiles.  If you or a loved one has been seriously injured by one of the recalled Mazda vehicles, please contact us at 1-877-MessaLaw.

Burlington Coat Factory Recalls Slow Cookers

Burlington Coat Factory has announced that it will recall approximately 7,460 slow cookers.  The slow cooker's control panel can overheat and melt, posing a fire hazard.

The manufacturer has received 60 reports of the control panels smoking, melting and sparking, and three reports of panels catching fire.  Fourteen incidents resulted in damage to countertops.

The Bella Kitchen 5-quart programmable slow cookers were sold at Burlington Coat Factory stores from June 2010 through December 2010 for $20.  They are black with "Bella Kitchen" printed on the control panel.  Consumers should stop using and unplug the recalled products immediately.

 
The attorneys at Messa & Associates have pursued many burn and fire cases as a result of products with manufacturing and design defects.  We combine our years of experience, thorough research, and the knowledge of highly regarded experts to prepare these cases.  If you or a loved one has been seriously injured by a Burlington Coat Factory Bella Kitchen slow cooker, please contact us at 1-877-MessaLaw.