Dangerous Drugs - Neurontin
Neurontin (generic name: gabapentin) has been approved by the FDA for treatment of two conditions: epilepsy (used to reinforce other drugs that help control partial seizures) and postherpetic neuralgia (nerve pain after having shingles). In some cases, doctors have prescribed the drug for other conditions, such as migraine headaches and bipolar disorder, because it is known to be an effective, though possibly addictive, pain reliever with relatively mild side effects. However, Pfizer, who makes the drug, actually went a step farther, aggressively marketing Neurontin for more purposes that had no scientific background or federal approval, which is against the law.
These dozen or so off-label purposes for Neurontin have not been approved by the FDA. Pfizer's marketing efforts promoted the drug for treatment of bipolar disorder, Lou Gehrig's Disease, ADD/ADHD, migraines, drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms, various pain disorders, restless leg syndrom, and as a primary (rather than secondary) drug for epilepsy. The company received world-wide criticism and legal action for these promotions, and in 2005, Pfizer plead guilty to illegal and fraudulent promotion of its top-selling epilepsy drug. The company agreed to pay $430 million to settle all criminal and civil liabilities related to its marketing of Neurontin to patients who may not have needed the drug.
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