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3 Medications That Can Lead To Long-Term Disability

Certain prescription medications can cause severe adverse reactions, and can even lead to permanent disability. A Social Security Disability attorney can advise you of your rights should you develop an illness as a result of taking prescription medications.

Personal injury claims have been rising in light of the growing list of prescription medications that have been implicated in the development illness and injury. You may be eligible for compensation for an illness or injury sustained as a result of taking statins, diabetes drugs, or bisphosphonates. Here are three prescription medications that may cause serious illness and long-term disability:

Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs

Statins are medications used in the management of high cholesterol. Some studies have shown that people who take statin drugs may be more likely to develop diabetes, or a serious muscle condition known as rhabdomyolysis.

The latter causes severe muscle pain and weakness, and in severe cases, muscle tissue can slough off into the bloodstream, leading to kidney failure. While mild muscle pain is common during the first few weeks of statin therapy, prolonged or severe pain, especially when accompanied by weakness and fatigue, should be evaluated by your physician as soon as possible. Rhabdomyolysis can lead to long-term disability, and if your doctor determines that cholesterol-lowering medications caused it, you may be entitled to social security disability benefits. 

Bisphosphonates

Bisphosphonates are drugs that are used to strengthen bones. Women taking bisphosphonates to manage their osteoporosis and to prevent bone fractures may be at risk for developing osteonecrosis of the jaw, which causes pain, inflammation, and exposure of the jaw bone, as a result of lesions that fail to heal. These medications have also been implicated in the development of femur fractures, and they may also delay healing after a fracture has occurred.

Another potential risk factor associated with bisphosphonates is the risk of esophageal cancer. While the risk for esophageal cancer in women who take bisphosphonates doesn't appear to be excessively high, the link cannot be dismissed until further studies are conducted.

If you develop bone pain or suffer a bone fracture, your doctor will recommend diagnostic tests to determine if your medical condition is a result of taking bisphosphonates. If so, work with both your health care provider and disability lawyer to determine your benefits eligibility status. 

Pioglitazone

Another medication under investigation for its potential to cause serious illness is pioglitazone. This medication is used to treat diabetes, and is a powerful anti-hyperglycemic drug. People who take pioglitazone to manage high blood sugar levels may be at a increased risk for developing bladder cancer.

The risk is even seen is those who do not have any known risk factors for bladder cancer such as a family history, exposure to benzene or other environment toxins, or a history of cigarette smoking.

If you experience blood in your urine, pain or pressure in your back or bladder area, have increased or decreased urinary output, or experience urinary frequency or urgency, see your doctor. While these symptoms are commonly associated with other, less serious conditions such as a urinary tract infection, they may be indicative of a malignancy.

If you take any of the above medications and have suffered severe or long-term health problems as a result, speak to a Social Security Disability attorney at firms like Horn & Kelley, PC Attorneys at Law to determine if you are eligible to receive monetary benefits. 


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