Many Paxil Lawsuit cases and class action suits (medical malpractice lawsuits) are being, and have been filed for people and their loved ones, who have experienced severe and sometimes life-altering side effects from using the SSRI antidepressant, Paxil.

Some of the worst side effects include birth defects of babies born to mothers who used Paxil while pregnant, and actual suicide or suicide tendencies.

The prescription drug Paxil, as well as other anti-depressants, have been linked to many health problems. Some of these health problems have lead people to file lawsuits. One of the most common are birth defects caused by the use of Paxil while pregnant. Another, is suicidal thoughts and behaviors as well as violent behavior while taking Paxil.

Paxil Lawsuit Overview

Paxil (Paroxetine, also known by the trade names Aropax, Paxil, Seroxat), is a prescription drug classified as a SSRI antidepressant. Paxil has been on the market since 1992 – 1993. It was initially marketed by the pharmaceutical company SmithKline Beecham, now GlaxoSmithKline.

Severe and Dangerous Paxil Side Effects Lead to Paxil Lawsuit

Paxil and other SSRI antidepressants may cause serious and dangerous side effects. In fact, the FDA issued a Mandate that any doctor that prescribes Paxil, MUST monitor these patients closely for the first 12 weeks of the drug’s use.

This particular mandate from the FDA came to being because many patients taking Paxil that were under the age of 24 began having violent as well as suicidal thoughts and tendencies. The FDA also has warnings and regulations for pregnant patients prescribed Paxil.

Dangerous Paxil Side Effect – 1. — Violent and Suicidal Thoughts, especially for those under the age 24.

Dangerous Paxil Side Effect – 2. — Birth defects associated with pregnant mothers taking Paxil, including heart defects and lung problems.

Why Use Paxil if Side Effects Lead to Paxil Lawsuit Cases?

Even though the above side effects as well as less serious side effects may be encountered, Paxil is still prescribed by doctors. The common conditions that it is prescribed for include: Depression; Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD); Anxiety; Panic Disorder; Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; and Premenstrual Syndrome.

Paxil is considered a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepresant. They are believed to increase the extracellular level of the neurotransmitter serotonin by inhibiting its re-uptake into the pre-synaptic cell, increasing the level of serotonin in the synaptic cleft available to bind to the post-synaptic receptor.

It is believed that an imbalance of serotonin levels of patients may influence mood in a way that leads to depression. Therefore, Paxil is supposed to help “re-balance” so to speak, the serotonin levels of the patient.

Yet, the help of SSRIs (including Paxil) for personality disorders named above is being disputed. In fact, a 2010 meta-analysis showed:

“The magnitude of benefit of antidepressant medication compared with placebo … may be minimal or nonexistent, on average, in patients with mild or moderate symptoms. For patients with very severe depression, the benefit of medications over placebo is substantial.” Read Full Article click here.

Paxil Lawsuits Continue:

There has been and continues to be dangerous risks associated with the use of Paxil, which in turn may lead to more Paxil lawsuit cases and class action suits. Birth Defects related to the use of Paxil during pregnancy has initiated both class action and civil lawsuits. Families who have experience loss and/or personal injury from patients taking Paxil and committed suicide and/or violent actions have won both large settlements and small damages settlements. These Paxil lawsuits have resulted in close to One Billion Dollars paid settlements by Paxil’s manufacturers Glaxo.

Violent & Suicidal Tendencies Paxil Lawsuit Examples:

As early as 1998, a family filed a lawsuit against SmithKline Beecham pharmaceuticals (the manufacturer at that time), after a man using Paxil, shot his family then himself. The Paxil Lawsuit completed in 2001, and Glaxo (the new manufacturer name) was ordered by the courts to pay a huge settlement of $6.4 million to the family filing suit. In addition, claims against Glaxo regarding the company’s officials had hidden research that proves there are suicidal tendencies for young patients resulted in a settlement of 2.5 million dollars.

Birth Defects Paxil Lawsuit Example:

At this time, about 600 birth defect Paxil lawsuits have been filed. One of the first winning cases against Paxil related to birth defects was for the family of Lyam Kilker. He was born with severe heart defects.

The award was based on the company being held accountable for hiding the possible risks birth defects when pregnant mothers take Paxil. Because the risk factor was hidden and unknown at the time, the mother’s doctor was unable to inform her of the risks. The family was awarded a settlement of 2.5 million dollars.

Paxil Class Action Lawsuit

A “broken tablet” class action lawsuit was filed. The Puerto Rico and Tennessee located manufacturers of the Paxil prescription were found to knowingly continue to sell defective tablets that broke apart when consumed. The problem with the tablets breaking apart was causing the drug to be released into the patient’s system too fast and / or irregularly. A settlement of $28 million is supposed to help give compensation to patients affected by the broken tablets, during the specified time frame.

Less Serious Paxil Side Effects

It would be wrong to not alert people of ALL the possible side effects of the prescription medication Paxil. As with all drugs there are many side effects linked to it.

Paxil may cause the following less severe side-effects: Increased Nervousness; Drowsiness; Dizziness; Insomnia; Mild nausea, upset stomach.

More serious Paxil side effects include: Easy bruising; muscle problems, rigid muscles; Fever and excessive sweating; Memory Loss; Suicidal ideas and self-destructive behaviors.

See above for explanations of most dangerous side effects: Violent and / or Suicidal tendencies; Birth defects.

Even though there are many side effects as well as risks in using the anti-depressant Paxil prescription drug, it was shown that it was the 5th most prescribed anti-depressant in the United States in 2006.