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Paxil Side Effects Lawsuit

Paxil is a prescription antidepressant in the class of drugs known as serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). SSRIs can help to balance the level of serotonin in the brain, a hormone that regulates mood.

Paxil was approved in 1993 and since then approximately 70 million prescriptions have been filled.

Treatment

Paxil is prescribed for the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), as well as premenstrual dysphoric disorder, a severe type of premenstrual syndrome. While taking Paxil, patients may see an improvement in mood, appetite, energy, and sleep. It may also restore interest in everyday life. Paxil is also allegedly capable of:

• Decreasing obsessions such as constant disturbing thoughts

• Taking away unwanted urges called compulsions

• Lessening the number and seriousness of panic attacks

• Decreasing unreasonable fears that can cause panic attacks

Side Effects of Paxil

If someone experiences changes in mood, panic attacks, feelings of anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and extreme restlessness they should consult a doctor, especially if these symptoms are new or getting progressively worse. This is also true if they become irritable, agitated, aggressive, mentally or physically hyperactive, or have thoughts of suicide.

Serious Physical Side Effects

• Bruising or bleeding easily

• Stiff muscles, fever, excess sweating, an irregular heartbeat or a heartbeat that is too fast, tremors, or reflexes that are overactive

• Vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, lack of appetite, feeling uncoordinated

• Difficulty concentrating, headaches, memory issues, confusion and weakness, hallucinations, seizures, fainting, and breathing that is shallow or stops

A doctor should be called immediately if a patient has any of these symptoms. It is also now believed that certain birth defects are a side effect of Paxil when taken by pregnant women.

Mild Side Effects

• Nervousness

• Feeling drowsy or dizzy

• Insomnia

• Constipation and minor nausea

• Weight gain or loss

• Impotence, decreased sex drive, or difficulty achieving orgasm

• Dry mouth, yawning or ringing ears

Lawsuits

There have been a number of studies that show that this class of drug (SSRI) can have severe side effects and that the risks are even greater with Paxil. The FDA has even issued warnings regarding Paxil on the possibilities of suicide in young people as well as birth defects.

Paxil is made by GlaxoSmithKline. A wide variety of lawsuits have been filed against this pharmaceutical company because injuries like suicide, violent acts, and severe symptoms of withdrawal. Birth defects, an originally unknown symptom of Paxil, are the center of some lawsuits.

Birth Defects

The initial lawsuit against GlaxoSmithKline for birth defects was filed in 2006 and the case involved a baby born with persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN). This is lung condition that is often times deadly and can cause irreversible damage in babies that do survive. There have since been other suits filed involving pregnant mothers who had taken Paxil and had babies born with heart defects.

Suicide

There have also been several litigations for damages for patients who were taking Paxil and committed suicide. In 2005 one such lawsuit was filed by the grandparents of a young man in California. The young man was prescribed Paxil because of certain behavioral problems and attention hyperactive disorder as well as some other problems. His symptoms got progressively worse while he was on Paxil until he ultimately committed suicide. The basis of the case is that GlaxoSmithKline did not provide sufficient warnings about the possibility of increased thoughts of suicide.

Class Action Lawsuits

Class action lawsuits are filed on behalf of a group of people. There are several such suits that have been filed against GlaxoSmithKline for injuries caused by Paxil. One of them filed in California alleges that there are serious withdrawal symptoms associated with Paxil and that this information was concealed from the public. The actions included in the suit were fraud and deceit, liability, negligence, and breach of warranty.

Another class action suit against GlaxoSmithKline is referred to as the “split pill” suit. This suit claims that the controlled-release version of Paxil manufactured between 2002 and 2005 had a defect. This defect caused the pill to come apart. When this happens, the coating on the outside of the pill breaks up causing the ingredients to be released immediately while still in the stomach. The controlled-release tablets are meant to gradually release the ingredients into the body. With the split pill, the patient will either get all of the active ingredients at once or get just the controlled-release ingredients and none of the active ingredients.

Settlements

Many class action and other lawsuits have been settled out of court by GlaxoSmithKline. These settlements have garnered criticism because these settlements keep the plaintiffs from making public the details. These details, if known, would help other people get compensation for damage done by Paxil.

If you or a loved one has experienced serious side effects or health complications with Paxil, fill out a case evaluation form today. Our team of attorneys has experience specific to complications associated with prescription medication. Not only can they give you the legal guidance you need, they can help you get the compensation you deserve.