It seems that every time you turn around there's another story on the 6 o'clock news citing bad drug interactions or recalls from the FDA.
In the past few years, for instance, you'll probably recognize Vioxx, Celebrex, Baycol and Acutane as just a few of those that captured national news attention.
In the last sixty days, the Federal Drug Administration has issued recalls or warnings on several other over-the-counter or prescription drugs.
Rituxan - manufactured by Genentech - used to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Rhuematoid arthritis that is no longer responding to other medications.
Recently, two patients developed a fatal viral infection of the central nervous system when Rituxan was being used off-label to treat other diseases.
Rituxan is helpful in reducing certain types of white blood cells, but it also makes the body more susceptible to infection.
Trasylol - manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceuticals - the FDA has strengthened the safety warnings of these drugs and limited its use to specific situations.
Trasylol is typically given to heart patients preceding surgery to reduce bleeding and the need for blood transfusions.
The FDA states that there is an increased risk for heart attacks, stroke and kidney damage and Trasylol should only be used for patients who are at an increased risk for blood loss and blood transfusion in the setting of coronary bypass surgery.
Tamiflu - manufactured by Roche - dosing information for children that was sent to healthcare professionals was incorrect, stating that the dose was twice per day, instead of once per day.
Cold and Cough medicines for children under two - three deaths have been reported in cases where cold and cough medicine was prescribed for infants under 12 months.
The FDA recommends caution for healthcare providers and caretakers when treating young infants with cold and cough medicine and recommends no such medicine be given to infants under two years old.
Store brands of 500mg caplets of acetaminophen - manufactured by Perrigo - 11 million bottles recalled due to metal fragments being found in certain lots.
You can check out the FDA's website daily (www.
fda.
gov) to find out if there are any new product recalls or warnings.
If you or someone you love has taken these drugs and been affected negatively, you could be eligible to receive compensation from the manufacturer.
"It's a good idea to contact a lawyer who is an expert in product liability cases.
The pharmaceutical companies have their own lawyers who are working in their best interests and you need someone in your corner too," says Brian Glick of the Glick Law Firm in Boca Raton, FL.
Compensation after the injury or death of a loved one doesn't undo the harm but it will ease the burden of medical costs and other expenses.