Abilify Users Plagued by Serious Side effects Leading to Multiple Lawsuits against the Brand

Abilify Users Plagued by Serious Side effects Leading to Multiple Lawsuits against the Brand

Let’s begin by understanding what is Abilify. Abilify is the brand name given to aripiprazole, an antipsychotic drug by Otsuka Pharmaceutical and Bristol Myers Squibb. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a supplementary treatment for some psychological and mental issues such as schizophrenia, autism, bipolar, Tourette’s syndrome among others. The FDA initially approved it solely for schizophrenia treatment but has since allowed the expansion of its application.

About a million individuals in the United States are currently using Abilify. The drug is, however, associated with a number of side effects, the most common being compulsive gambling, sex addiction, and overeating. Besides these effects, the FDA also noted other effects; insomnia, panic attacks, mood swings, violence, mania and death in old patients who have dementia. It is mainly because of some of these side effects that several lawsuits have been filed against Abilify. The plaintiffs have been individual users, the Department of Justice, the District of Columbia and 42 states.

The Various Abilify Lawsuits

Plaintiffs argued that Abilify ruined their lives by causing them to become sex addicts and compulsive gamblers such as the Joseph Edgar lawsuit filed in 2016. In the lawsuit, the plaintiff alleged that compulsive gambling habits plagued him upon beginning using Abilify in 2009. However, the gambling addiction stopped as soon as he stopped using Abilify five years later. He faced physical and mental damages besides losing over $36,000.

Patrick Parks, Athalean Harper-Mosley and Ricky Carlson also filed similar lawsuits. In late 2016, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, upon realizing there were many cases of similar characteristics, consolidated them into a multidistrict litigation (MDL). The panel then transferred this Northern District of Florida District Court. In such cases, the MDL is presided over by a single judge, and one or several representative cases are picked to set the ball rolling. As of August 2017, there were 192 pending actions under the MDL. The process is expected to end in Abilify settlements seeking to resolve some of the cases.

Abilify Settlements and Other Abilify Lawsuits

In February 2017, the MDL Judge Casey Rodgers brought on board seasoned negotiator and legal mediator Cathy Yanni as settlement master. The judge instructed the plaintiff and defendant to attend a settlement conference with Cathy Yanni. Settlements are yet to be announced in the pending MDL cases. In other litigation cases against Abilify, five women sued alleging that the drug caused type 2 diabetes in children. They also added that the companies behind the drug failed to notify doctors administering it of the risk. However, these lawsuits were dismissed. The defendants argued that they could not get out-of-state witnesses to give testimonies. On the other hand, Abilify has forked out a couple of multimillion-dollar settlements. This has been in the wake of illegal marketing and making misleading unproven claims allegations.

The Real Need to Quality Assurance in Call Centers

The Real Need to Quality Assurance in Call Centers

Quality assurance is something that is needed all the time. There needs to be someone in place to check things that are done in different environments. Call centers, for example, are going to be one of those areas where quality assurance is vital. There are tons of people that are using the phones to reach out to customers, and there needs to be someone in place to actually monitor the calls.

Different Workers, Different Tones

The thing that makes each call center unique is the workers that are part of the call center. It doesn’t matter how many people are interviewed. It does not matter how many resumes are viewed before people are put into a call center. At some point in time these different personalities may come through on the phone. There needs to be some quality assurance in place to make sure that the workers are conducting the phone conversations in a professional way.

Meeting the Expectations

There is a reason that people hear about the message about the monitoring of calls for quality control purposes before they speak to representatives. Companies want to ensure that the representatives that are speaker to customers are saying the right things. A person that is one the phone is not just there to speak their own mind and voice their own opinions. To the contrary, people that are part of the company are representatives of the company. Company leaders want to make sure that representatives are truly representing the company.

So many employees have loss jobs over time because they have gone far outside of what the company standards where. This is the only way to make sure that call centers can maintain some high level of quality for customer service. Some type of quality control method has to be put in place to assure that the rules are being followed.

The Customers That Voice Opinions

Another reason that quality assurance (or qa for call centers) is used has to do with the wide range of customer complaints that may be received through the years. Quality assurance is needed because there are so many customers that will call to complain if they feel that they have not helped through customer service. The concept of quality assurance is something that is good because it allows them to go back and trace the calls.

Customers are going to voice their opinions if something is going wrong. No company executive wants to have calls escalated for poor customer service. That is the reason why there will be a need to monitor the quality control of these calls. It makes a lot more sense to have calls recorded because it helps identify a problem.

Keeping Workers Aware of Issues

Quality is something that people will uphold, but there has to be some reason for workers to stay mindful of the need to engage in quality control. When the workers know that the calls are monitored they are much more likely to make quality control a priority. No monitoring of calls will diminish the call quality.

Wondering Why You Need an Ergonomic Mouse?

Wondering Why You Need an Ergonomic Mouse?

If you’re spending a good deal of time on the computer, you’ll know why an ergonomic mouse is important and why you need it. As opposed to a traditional mouse, the best ergonomic mouse is much more medically savvy (as the name suggests). When much of time on the computer is spent utilizing the mouse, it becomes necessary to ensure this doesn’t pose any health issues.

A traditional mouse leaves your hand in a non-ergonomic position, meaning it raises the risk of orthopedic injuries. When your body remains in a certain position for a prolonged period, it is likely to develop Repetitive Motion Syndrome (RMS). This syndrome has been around for ages. It has been prevalent in various forms of labor that required men to persist engaging in repetitive tasks. Therefore, inflicting any health issue from computer usage is no joking matter at all, however, unrealistic and overstated it sounds. As technology continues to improve, computer hardware parts are designed greater and better. The current mouse technology known as ergonomic uses its health precautions, efficiency and ease to market itself as a perfect hardware. What makes ergonomic consider and address health conditions may be due to the fact that Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the fastest-spreading occupational injury that surfaced among typing pools in the 20th century. Carpal tunnel syndrome results from the pressure on the median nerve in your wrist. The symptoms cause numbness, tingling, and weakness in your hand.

Benefits and Features

Ergonomic mice are designed to eliminate these problems by reducing strains. It is also suitable for those with existing conditions, as it alleviates stress on their hand, arm and elbow. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes and designs. Each designed with specific features to help accommodate different needs. These designs include:

– Functionality suited for left handed or right handed users

– Different sizes that reduce fatigue

– Adaptability to your natural posture

– Easy grip that doesn’t tense the fingers while clutching the mouse

– Better support for the palm

– Efficiency in mousing the screen

– Ease of movement

– Accommodating a greater range of hand sizes

– Scroll wheels that reduce hand pressure

– Size shifters

– Roughened Grips as opposed to slippery surfaces

– An ambidextrous ability to adjust to both: the left and the right hand

– Vertically erected structure/horizontal structure

– Vertical structure that offers a 90 degree flexibility

– Button placement that ensures buttons are within easy reach of your fingers

Ergonomic mice definitely cost more than traditional mice but the benefits are worth it. An ordinary mouse doesn’t make the cut when it comes to health assurance, hence, upgrading to an improved mouse technology is highly feasible and recommended. You shouldn’t put a price on health, and compromise it just to save a few extra bucks. The primary reason why ergonomics have been growing in popularity is because many users are beginning to realize the importance of good health and comfort. Not to mention, comfort also leads to productivity.

Take an online Excel training course if you need the program for work

Take an online Excel training course if you need the program for work

Has your boss told you that you will soon need to start using Excel for some of your work duties? Have you never used Excel before, or are a little bit rusty when it comes to remembering how to use the more complicated functions?

If so, do not worry. There are some excellent online Excel training courses available that can teach you everything you need to know about the spreadsheet program in just a few weeks, and all without leaving your home or office.

Where to find the right Excel training course for your needs — There are many courses for online excel training, and every one offers a different way to learn. This is why you need to do a little research before signing up for a course.

What to look for with any Excel training course — Things to look for when choosing an Excel training course include how many hours the course will take you to complete, how many video hours the course includes and if it also comes with supplemental resources.

Will you also need to buy a text book for it, or is everything you need included with the price of the course?

Can you access the course from any device, and can you access it over and over again for many years to come?

Finally, when you complete the course, do you receive a certificate of completion and is it a qualification you can then use to help you in your career?

How much should you pay for an Excel training course online? — Once you know what each Excel training course includes, you then need to decide how much you should pay for the course you choose.

This decision can be made by looking at the prices of each course you have found, and comparing the price to what each course offers.

Delete from your list the courses that are the same or higher than other courses but that offer less information or instruction.

Reviewing the online schools themselves — Remember, it is not just the course itself you should be concerned with when signing up for an Excel training course online.

You should also do some research on the online schools themselves as some are better than others, and some do nothing more than cheat the people that sign up with them.

Read online reviews written by people who have taken courses at particular schools, whether these courses were an Excel training course or something else.

Delete from your list the schools that seem to have many people complaining about the courses and the school itself. Keep the ones that get good reviews and that seem to offer courses students appreciate and enjoy.

Deciding on a course — Once you have all this information, it should not take you long to choose an Excel training course online that will teach you what you need to know.

Compare the subjects that will be covered, the amount of time you will need to study to complete the course and the cost. You should now be able to choose the right Excel training course for your particular business needs.

And for a little practice, try out the shortcuts in the video below:

Electronic Cigarettes Are Safer Alternative to Traditional Cigarettes

Electronic Cigarettes Are Safer Alternative to Traditional Cigarettes

Introduction

Smoking cigarettes was once an indicator of status in society. In the 1950’s and 60’s, smoking was seen as fashionable or “cool”. This idea has since gone out the window with the realization that cigarettes are incredibly harmful, causing health concerns like throat and lung cancer. While the majority of the world recognizes that smoking cigarettes is a lethal habit, many people still enjoy the sensation of smoking. The recent invention of vaping, or smoking electronic cigarettes, has proven to be a safer alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes.

 

They Have Fewer Chemicals

The greatest offense of traditional cigarettes are the chemicals and additives that they contain. Traditional cigarettes are comprised of harmful chemicals like carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, ammonia, butane, hydrogen cyanide and more. All of these chemicals are known to be carcinogens and are not intended for human consumption. Electronic cigarettes, on the other hand, do not contain these chemicals. The Eliquid used in most electronic cigarettes is comprised of only four ingredients including glycerin and food-grade flavoring. These chemicals are completely safe for human consumption.

 

There’s No Second-Hand Smoke

One of the great evils of smoking traditional cigarettes is that you expose the people around you to harmful second-hand smoke. When you smoke a traditional cigarette, you exhale all of the lethal toxins out into the air around you for the people in your immediate area to breathe in. While you may be okay with inhaling carcinogens, those around you probably are not. In this area, electronic cigarettes are clearly a better option. Electronic cigarettes are also known as vaporizers because they work by heating e-liquid and producing a vapor or steam. The vapor that is exhaled when smoking an electronic cigarette has shown to be relatively harmless compared to the toxic fumes a traditional cigarette would produce. This is why you may see public spaces allowing individuals to smoke electronic cigarettes.

 

They’re Better for the Environment

A final benefit to opting for electronic cigarettes over traditional ones is that electronic cigarettes are much better for the environment. The obvious reason for this is that electronic cigarettes are not releasing the same toxins into the air that traditional cigarettes are. Another reason can be found in the design and packaging of an electronic cigarette. By using an electronic cigarette, you are significantly cutting down on the physical waste that is produced by traditional cigarettes. Someone who smokes traditional cigarettes is constantly buying packs of them and then disposing of their cigarette butts, sometimes in the trash but often just onto the ground. The use of an electronic cigarette eliminates this. You have one cigarette that you can use for years at a time.

 

Conclusion

There are numerous reasons that transitioning to electronic cigarettes is beneficial to yourself and those around you. From the absence of harmful chemicals to the reduction of waste in the environment, it is clear that electronic cigarettes are the safer alternative to traditional cigarettes.

Heartburn Medicines and their complications

Heartburn Medicines and their complications

INTRODUCTION

Individuals who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease and other conditions relative to excessive stomach acids have, for years, sought relief by turning to a class of medications known as proton pump inhibitors. The prescription medication known as Nexium, which ultimately became available over the counter, is hailed as one the best medications in this class. Often dubbed the little purple pill, Nexium (Esomeprazole) works by blocking the production of acid in the stomach which is a contributory cause for conditions like stomach and duodenal ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

WHAT ARE PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS

In paradoxical fashion, the drug that was intended to alleviate the discomfort associated with stomach acid has been linked to kidney failure. According to a CNN article, 96% of people taking proton pump inhibitors like Nexium have an increased risk of kidney failure, compared to those who took an alternative medicine like histamine H2 receptor blockers. What are histamine H2 receptor blockers? They are medications like Zantac, Pepcid, and Pepcid AC which have also been proven to treat excessive stomach acid. A study in the US National Library of Medicine determined that proton pump inhibitors have been overprescribed in the United States and abroad, and since the first proton pump inhibitor (Prilosec) was introduced in 2002, prescriptions for these medications have doubled.

CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT

What does this all mean? A significant number of people have been diagnosed with kidney disease or kidney failure, resulting in a class action lawsuit brought against renown drug manufacturer AstraZeneca. Kidney failure and kidney disease can impede the body’s ability to remove waste and excess water and does not produce symptoms until the disease is in its advanced stages. Due to the staggering amount of people affected, a class action lawsuit was filed in the Suffolk County Superior Court in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In 2013 a settlement was reached, and AstraZeneca agreed to pay $20 million to settle the claim which accused the drug manufacturer of deceptively marketing Nexium.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

What should you do if you believe you have suffered kidney failure as a result of using Nexium? It’s recommended that you procure supporting documentation from your doctor, which shows a correlation between your illness and your use of the drug. You will then need to confer with a Nexium lawyer, who will guide you through the process of joining the class action lawsuit. Since a settlement has already been reached, you will be entitled to a percentage of the damages (settlement money) provided that you can prove your health was negatively impacted by your use of the drug. A class action lawsuit is generally filed when there are too many plaintiffs to include in a standard personal injury lawsuit, and because an untold number of people have been impacted, this is the best way to ensure that everyone who has been impacted has a path towards compensation.

CONCLUSION

When we take any medication, we expect that it will be to our betterment, which is why drug companies have clinical trials. We don’t ever expect that our health would be compromised which is what happened to those who have used Nexium. If you have been diagnosed with kidney disease or kidney failure as a result of Nexium, contact an attorney today.

 

REFERENCES

  • http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/14/health/proton-pump-inhibitors-kidney-failure/index.html
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2174763/
  • https://www.classactionlawsuithelp.com/nexium-class-action-lawsuit/
Gift Ideas For Men This Year

Gift Ideas For Men This Year

Gift Ideas For Men This Year

Buying gifts for men is quite a lot of fun for ladies and other men because it allows them to choose something that their friends and family will enjoy. This article explains to find some cool gifts for guys. There are many rethinks men would never ask for, but they may use these things if they receive them as gifts.

#1: Proper Shaving Kits

Proper shaving kits are fun for men to use because they will get a cleaner shave that comes with the tools and accessories they need. Men who use these items will be quite comfortable with their bodies, and they will have something that makes it easier for them to feel comfortable when they are getting ready for the day. They will use each item because it helps them get a smooth shave, and they may use these things to care for a beard or mustache that they are happy with.

#2: Better Handkerchiefs

Men may use handkerchiefs every day, but they likely do not have nice hankies that they may carry with them to the office. There are many different people who wish to use the hankies every day because they wish to look their best when they pull them from their pockets. These hankies look beautiful, and they are a part of as man’s style that you may improve.

#3: Experiences

You may give a man that you care about an experience that matters to them, and you will find that that he will want to have these experiences with you. You may give him anything from a shooting lesson to a flying lesson. You will find that there are many different experiences men want to try just once, and you may learn that these men have ideas that may lead them to new careers. Getting your man a flying lesson may lead to him becoming a pilot, or you may send him off to a skydiving experience that is exciting for him.

#4: Concerts

There are many different people who are searching for a place where they may have a good time with friends, and you may give your men concert tickets. He will enjoy going to a concert with you, or you may send him to a music festival that he will enjoy. This is quite a lot of fun for men because they likely do not get to concerts often, and they will enjoy the acts that they may not have seen live in the past.

You are giving your men the gifts that will make them feel better about themselves, and you will find that there are many men who will enjoy using your gifts every day after you give them. You will feel better because you have given your friends or loved ones something they will love, and they will have an experience that they would not get for themselves.

Medical uses for cbd oil

CBD: High in Benefits

As soon as anyone mentions the words cannabis oil or any other byproduct of cannabis, there usually follows a heated debate regarding its use. But the fact is, humans have known for a long time some of the potential medical benefits of the hemp plant in general and cannabis by-products in particular. One such byproduct is cannabidiol or more commonly known as CBD. Research has shown that CBD has very low amounts of toxicity and mostly benign effects. Therefore, ignoring the potential of CBD is slowly becoming unacceptable for many medical practitioners.

What is it and what can it do?

So what is CBD and what is the big deal about it? CBD is one of many compounds present in cannabis. The most famous of these compounds is THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the mind altering compound found in cannabis. However, the average marijuana plant also contains large amounts of CBD, which does not have mind altering qualities, and has a lot of medical potential. Some of the qualities of CBD are antioxidant, anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, anti-psychotic and anti-emetic. This means it can be used for treating illnesses as diverse as epilepsy, nausea, anxiety, and even schizophrenia. The following is a more in-depth look at some of the main benefits.

Anxiety relief

Researchers have seen promising results in anxiety relief with CBD experiments. It does this by changing the brains receptors reaction to serotonin, a chemical linked to mental issues. Dosages were given to people and as a result they were able to function better in stressful situations. This makes it promising for people suffering from PTSD.

Anti-inflammatory

Studies are showing that CBD (also referred to as CBD vape juice sometimes) effect on inflammation. It has shown to be highly effective for treating chronic pain and neuropathic pain connected to multiple sclerosis.

Antipsychotic

In trials with patients suffering from schizophrenia, CBD has shown to successful. The pharmacological profile of this drug has shown to be quite similar to other atypical anti-psychotic drugs.

Anti-carcinogenic

There have been many reports regarding CBD’s capability in inhibiting cancer cell migration, adhesion and invasion. Needless to say, this is a huge find for cancer researchers. Most of the benefits were found in breast cancer treatments. It basically caused cell death for cells affected with cancer. Not only that, it has shown that CBD will not affect cells that are healthy. Other types of cancers it is showing promising results with are lung and colon cancer.

Nausea

Its been known for a long time that marijuana has anti-nausea properties. Now we know that it is the CBD contained in it that gives it that property. This is helpful for patients who may be suffering from nausea as a result of medical treatments or any other reasons, for that matter.

Seizures

A recent study was done where 19 volunteers took part in an experiment to treat seizures from epilepsy with CBD. The results were astounding. Out of these 19, 16 of them showed dramatic decrease in seizures as a result.

Since CBD is a cannabis byproduct, it is important to find out if it is a controlled substance in the area you live. Some places it is and others it is not.

The many uses of pneumatic fittings

There are many uses of the pneumatic fittings. The first use is with a bicycle pump. This pump is used to inflate the tires of the bicycle. The bike pump is going to use mechanical power or a person who is going to push on the device in order for the device to function properly. They are designed to redirect the air so that the air goes into the bicycle tire. The handle of the bike pump will be pushed by the human so the air inside of the cylinder will be pushed to the lower part of the cylinder where the air can flow to the bicycle tire.

 

The second use is a vacuum cleaner. These vacuum cleaners are going to be the wet/dry vacuum cleaners. This is because they are a specialized form of the wet/dry models that can hook up to the compressed air. This means that they can accommodate for the spoilage of the wet and dry vacuum cleaner. It is a very useful feature of the vacuum cleaners when they are used in the industrial plants and the facilities for manufacturing plants.

 

The third use is a car shock. These are going to be the hydraulic shock absorbers that are used in conjunction with the cushions and springs of the car. Most of the time, the shock absorbers the energy is converted to the heat that is inside of the viscous fluid. With the hydraulic cylinders, the hydraulic fluid will heat up while they are in the air cylinder. This means that the hot air will be exhausted into the atmosphere.

 

The fourth use is for the handicapped-access buttons which are going to operate the automatic doors at the front entrance of a building. These systems are going to utilize the power of the air that is under pressure so that it can automatically open up the door. This means that you will be able to manually operate the door easily or utilize the automated part of the door that is proved by the pneumatic cylinder. This is because it is going to use air instead of other electronics. The air can be used in applications that are more hazardous when the electronics cannot be used.

 

The fifth use is with nail guns. These types of nail guns are not going to have any downward pressure because the compressed air in the air chamber returns so that you can push the piston head back up. The air that is above the head of the piston will be forced out of the gun into the atmosphere. This means that they are going to work very well at driving the thicker nails through the materials that are hard.

 

The sixth use is a gauge to check the pressure in a person’s tires. The tight sealing piston in the tire pressure guage works a lot like a bicycle pump. The inside of the tube is polished off to be smooth and the piston is made of rubber. This allows it to seal nicely against the tube. The tube will have to be lubricated with oil to improve the seal.

Finding Internet Promotions: The easy way

Finding Internet Promotions: The easy way

Finding Internet Promotions

Internet sites and retailers tend to offer lower prices than the traditional brick and mortar stores as they don’t have the overhead in place that they need to compensate for. Having said this, there is a wide divergence in prices from varying online retailers who offer ever changing product discounts which online retailers use to attract business but maintain profit margins on their products. Many websites will even state outrageous recommended retail pricing and then show significant discounts which can be misleading for shoppers. Finding good prices and discounts on prices while online shopping can be truly challenging and require skills. These tips will help you to find the best discounts on products while shopping online.

Use Pricing Comparison Sites

Many online retailers have fairly sophisticated systems in place to price their products and offer discounts and various times of day to different customers to attract customers. A price comparison website which shows not only the pricing of the products currently on a variety of competing websites, but also the history of pricing on that website, which will help you to make sense of the product discounts that are being offered as well as how reasonable the pricing is at the current moment. One of the best, and most frustrating parts of shopping online is the ever-rotating prices. A price comparison website will help you to make sense of these shifting prices and help you to get the lowest prices possible when buying a product.

Use Promotions and Mailing Lists for Discounts

Before you buy a product online it is often a good idea to search for coupons or discounts, for example on โปรโมชั่น Promotion. Many online retailers will offer discounts to customers who sign up for mailing lists and using these coupon codes can greatly lower the price that you end up paying for the products that you pay online. See if there are any loyalty programs online as well that are offered by the website which can offer discounts on prices. Finally, consider using third party rebate websites that will transfer a portion of their affiliate fee in exchange from being linked through their site. This won’t cost you anything extra but can provide you with a relatively significant discount on your purchase in the form of a rebate check. When this is combined with a credit card reward program you can find yourself getting a relative significant discount on your purchase price.

Searching for Specialty Retailers

Many products are purchased through the larger websites that sell many different products. If you are interested in a very specific product then consider checking out smaller retailers who specialize in these products that you are looking to buy. Many of these smaller specialty retailers have a better array of products for sale and are more knowledgeable about the products that you are looking to buy. If the prices are cheaper on a competitor website ask them to price match and see if they are willing to. If you have a loyalty program or credit card that offers discounts on a larger retailer site you can also ask them to price match and enjoy the savings from these multiplied discounts.

In addition, keep these budgeting tips in mind when shopping around – it’s not easy to save a ton of money, but discounts and coupons definitely make it easier: