What is Paxil?
Paxil has been heavily prescribed to treat depression, and tens of thousands of people in the U.S. have taken the drug. In 2006, the FDA issued a safety alert for the drug (Paroxetine) regarding an increased risk of Neonatal Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension. If you have been injured by Paxil, contact us today.
Paxil is an orally administered psychotropic (drug affecting a person’s mental state) medication. It is prescribed by healthcare providers to treat major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and a condition called “social anxiety disorder,” as well as “generalized anxiety disorder” and post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD).
Paxil has been heavily prescribed to treat depression, and tens of thousands of people in the U.S. have taken the drug. In 2006, the FDA issued a safety alert for the drug (Paroxetine) regarding an increased risk of Neonatal Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension.
A case control study showed that babies born to mothers who took the drug after the 20th week of pregnancy were six times more likely to have a child with this condition.
Side Effects
The side effects of Paxil can be extreme. The manufacturer was forced to place a “black box” warning related to clinical worsening and the risk of suicide. The company’s label warns against several risks associated with Paxil:
- Birth defects (cardiovascular malformations)
- Suicidal thoughts
- Suicide
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Panic attacks
- Hostility
- Aggressive behavior
- Hypomania (elation and hyperactivity)
- Mania
- Akathisia (movement disorder)
- Glaucoma
- Heart arrhythmia
- Abnormal bleeding
- Seizures
- Tremor
- Serotonin Syndrome
- Death
Injuries
The manufacturer of Paxil has been forced to revise the labelling on the medication several times since its release, adding warnings for medical providers and consumers. The company was forced to warn consumers against suicidality among children, adolescents and young adults taking the medication.
In 2005, the FDA issued a safety warning regarding pregnancy and the use of Paxil, and the increased risk of birth defects. The manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, has faced charges associated with their promotion of several drugs, including Paxil.
Side effects that damaged unborn children and left them suffering from various conditions and permanent or serious defects:
- Heart defects
- Limb defects
- Clubfoot
- Spina Bifida
- Craniosyntosis (head malformations)
Your Legal Options
If your child has suffered birth defects, and you had been prescribed Paxil during your pregnancy, it is important that you get assistance to seek justice.
At our firm, we are prepared to review the facts in your case, and to advise you about taking action, the potential value of your claim, and the expected period of time it will take to get your case settled. We work long hours to serve our clients, and our mission is to seek justice for injured victims. Call now.
At Gruber Law, our legal team helps those who are living with the tragic consequences of the side effects of Paxil. Call us immediately if you believe that your child’s condition or death was associated with taking Paxil.
We will investigate the facts and advise you about how to move forward with a claim. It is imperative that the manufacturer of the drug, Apotex Technologies, is held accountable for what happened.
