Toxic Cocktails
Ceramic angel swizzle sticks

Toxic Cocktails is comprised of dozens of bone-like bisque ceramic angel-topped swizzle sticks assembled in the form of a human skeleton, resembling an archaeological or forensic study. Each angel has been inscribed with the name of one of twenty-two medications, selected by the artists at random, that have been recently removed from the market. Although the United States has the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to access the safety and efficacy of medications, thousands of people have died or been put at risk by many drugs that were released.

Toxic Cocktails

The medications are as follows:

In 2001, Bayer removed Baycol from the market. The drug was intended to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease, but in some cases caused a fatal form of rhabdomyolysis.

Bextra was approved by the FDA in 2001, and used widely to relieve arthritis pain.  It was later found to cause life threatening skin conditions and cardiovascular problems.

Duract is an anti-inflammatory drug used for short-term treatment of acute pain.  Liver failure was found in patients who used the drug for longer than 10 days.

The FDA issued a safety warning on the Duragesic patch, which was prone to manufacturing problems.  Contact with a defective pain patch may deliver an overdose of fentanyl which can lead to breathing difficulties or death.

In 2004, the FDA banned Ephedra.  The compound is effective for short-term weight loss but can also be responsible for an increase in blood pressure, strokes and heart disease.

Millions of prescriptions were written for the weight loss drug Fen-Phen. It was recalled after producing many serious side effects including death. American Home Products has been accused of intentionally hiding the risks of the drug prior to the recall.

In 2000 Glaxo-Smith-Kline limited the production of Lotromex following reports of severe stomach and intestinal disorders which often required surgery and, in extreme cases, caused death.

Palladone, a pain reliever, was pulled from the market after just 5 months.  It was particularly dangerous when taken with alcohol, which disturbed Palladone’s extended relief system and caused users to overdose.

In 2007, The FDA announced that Pergolide was removed the drug from the market because of potential heart valve damage.

Pondimen is linked with primary pulmonary hypertension and heart valve damage, a particular danger as symptoms can go unnoticed for years. Prior to recall, testing showed 30 percent of users suffered some form of heart valve damage.

In 2000, the FDA recalled Propsulid, a drug designed to treat severe heartburn.  It was linked with 80 deaths and hundreds of cases of irregular heart rhythms.

Raxar was recalled two months after FDA approval. Intended to treat infections ranging from pneumonia to sexually transmitted diseases, it was quickly linked to serious side effects or death.

Redux, an obesity medication, was later linked to serious heart conditions when combined with other drugs to form dexfen-phen.  No tests were run to examine the effects of combining the drugs.

Rezulin was shown to be associated with liver disease. With two other type 2 diabetes medications available, the FDA asked that Rezulin be taken off of the market.

Seldane, an allergy medicine, was linked with irregular heart beats and proven potentially fatal when mixed with other medications.

After three patients developed serious side effects, Tysabri was removed from the open market, a controversial decision as many multiple sclerosis sufferers are hoping for its return.

In 2005, the FDA requested that the manufacturer of Vioxx recall the drug due to evidence of an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Data revealed a significant increase in potentially fatal heart incidents among users of Zelnorm/Zelmac. The FDA asked Novartis to suspend sales of Zelnorm while it reevaluates the drug.

In 2008, Digitek was recalled after being found to contain twice the approved level of digoxin. The double-strength pills posed a risk of digitalis toxicity, nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, cardiac instability and death.

In 2009, the FDA warned dieters and body builders to stop using Hydroxycut, a widely sold supplement linked to serious liver damage. The warning was delayed because the FDA has no authority to review supplements before they’re marketed.

In 1998, Roche announced Posicor’s withdrawal. Posicor reduced hypertension but was found to produce dangerously low heart rates when combined with over 25 different drugs.  It may be responsible for as many as 143 deaths.

Baxter Healthcare Corp., has been accused of substituting ingredients in its anti-coagulant Heparin with a dangerous counterfeit to maximize profits. The tainted Heparin caused hundreds of allergic reactions and more than 80 deaths before the drug was recalled.

Toxic Cocktails installation at Agitprop