Paxil and Birth Defect Lawsuits

For centuries, conditions such as depression and anxiety were not taken as seriously as they should have been by society, even though millions of people have suffered from one or both of these problems. Fortunately, the advancement of medical science helped most realize that these are real problems in need of real solutions.

One of the solutions that hit the market with a lot of promise was Paxil®, which is a drug that's meant to treat these conditions. Unfortunately, Paxil has come under intense scrutiny from several sources, and below you'll find information regarding how Paxil works, the problems that arose in conjunction with this drug, government reaction to these problems and how you should proceed if you or someone you love has suffered as a result of using Paxil.

Paxil - SmithKline Beecham Manufactured SSRI

Paxil is a member of a class of drugs known as serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI's). SSRI's are a widely known class of medications, and other members of the class include such drugs as Prozac, Zoloft, Luvox and Celexa. However, Paxil is distinct from these medications because of its unique chemical makeup.

Paxil is manufactured by SmithKline Beecham, and it was originally approved for marketing and sale in the United States in 1999. It was seen as a drug with a lot of promise because it helped to provide balance in the amount of serotonin that was released from cell to cell. Serotonin is known as a 'messenger' substance in the body, as it carries urges and process orders from the ending of the nerve to the beginning of the next cell over.

When something is amiss with the way in which serotonin is carried from cell to cell, this imbalance can lead to psychological problems that include depression and anxiety. Paxil is a drug that helps to protect and preserve that balance of serotonin and thereby helping to mitigate the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

For several years, Paxil was seen as a drug that did what it was supposed to do, as patients reported generally positive results after using it. However, Paxil eventually ran into serious problems given its alleged link to serious side effects. These side effects are explained below.

Paxil Side Effects - Heart Birth Defects and PPHN

After a few years on the market, troubling reports began to surface in regards to Paxil, and it wasn't long before the medical community recognized a common thread among those who had been harmed. This common thread was the damage done to children who were born to mothers who had used Paxil during pregnancy, particularly those who had used Paxil during their first trimester of pregnancy. Specifically, there were two side effects associated with Paxil that were more prominent than others:
  • Persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) - PPHN is a lung condition that is extremely dangerous for children, particularly newborns. PPHN raises the pressure in the lungs, and this rise in pressure creates extreme difficulty when it comes to moving oxygen through the system as a whole. While most who are stricken with PPHN require ongoing intensive care, it can also be fatal in some infants, as it was for many whose mothers had used Paxil.
  • Heart birth defects - There were several studies done that concluded that pregnant women who had been using Paxil during their first trimester gave birth to an alarmingly high number of newborn children with heart-related birth defects. Some of these birth defects included atrial or ventricular septal defects. These conditions occur when the wall between the right and left portions of the heart is not properly developed. This condition creates the need for immediate corrective heart surgery.
There have been other Paxil side effects reported, and they include:
  • Weight gain
  • Insomnia
  • Premature ejaculation
  • Weight loss
  • Hair loss
Additionally, patients between 18 and 24 years of age showed a troubling tendency to experience suicidal thoughts, and that problem has been addressed publicly, as you'll see below.

FDA Paxil Regulation

The FDA has been involved with the regulation of Paxil on several levels. This involvement includes the order for a strong warning to be placed on the packages of Paxil that detail the link between its use and the tendency of suicidal thoughts in young patients who use it. The FDA has also told SmithKline Beecham to reclassify Paxil as a 'Category D' drug for pregnant women. This classification means that studies of use of the drug by pregnant women have shown a risk to the fetus.

Paxil Lawsuit - Attorneys and Lawyers Helping Vitims?

If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of using Paxil, you need to contact the defective drugs lawyers at Phillips Webster today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your Paxil claim. You have legal rights and options that need to be explored and enforced.
 



1-800-ABOGADO

Phillips Webster es la firma de abogados de Washington y nuetros abogados experimentados lo pueden ayudar.   Si usted se ha lastimado en un accidente,  si necesita declararse en bancarrota o necesita que le ayudemos a negociar su deudas, podemos ayudarlo.

Hablemos Españo; 1-800-226-4236

 

 

Submit your request for a FREE evaluation by phone, no office visit required.

* First Name:

* Last Name:

* Email:

* Phone:

Comments:

*Accept Terms


*Denotes Required Field


Woodinville Law Office
13303 NE 175th Street
Woodinville, Washington 98072

Renton Law Office:
 900 S W 16th St Suite 300 | Renton, Washington 98057

Seattle Law Office
Washington Mutual Tower
1201 3rd Ave. Ste. 3080
Seattle, Washington 98101