Paxil Lawsuits On Behalf Of Individuals And Class Action Lawsuits

Essentially there have been two types of claims made, and lawsuits filed, against GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturer of Paxil. The first concerns severe withdrawal symptoms reported by many people attempting to stop usage of the drug. The more disturbing type of claim concerns violent behavior, including suicides and suicide attempts induced by the drug. Many of those claims involve children and adolescents who were prescribed Paxil. These particular claims and lawsuits allege that GlaxoSmithKline concealed information from four studies that concluded the drug was ineffective in treating depression in children and adolescents and potentially increased the risk of suicidal thoughts in young patients. All of these types of claims have been filed as class action lawsuits and as individual lawsuits throughout the country.

LAWSUITS INVOLVING HOMICIDAL OR SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR

Our lawyers are investigating claims and filing lawsuits against the manufacturer of Paxil based on the dangerous side effects inducing violent or suicidal behavior.

Paxil has been positively linked to suicide and violent behavior. The exact manner of how the drug triggers these reactions is still being studied. However, this has been documented in clinical studies and some high profile tragedies. In one highly publicized case, a man killed his wife and children and then himself after taking Paxil for two days. Attorneys argued that he experienced a reaction to Paxil known as "akathisia", a feeling can lead patients to commit impulsive violence and suicide.

Paxil is classified as an SSRI (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor). Other SSRIs, such as Prozac, Paxil, Luvox, and Zoloft have been blamed for other high profile cases of violence, including the Columbine shootings; the murder/suicide of the comedian Phil Hartmann committed by his wife.

Suicide associated with Paxil use seems to take place during the first few weeks of initial treatment (or a dosage increase) or when trying to stop and get off the drug. For that reason if you are taking Paxil, you should not stop taking it without speaking with a physician.

Lawsuit Brought by New York Attorney General For Withholding Safety Information

On August 26, 2004, GlaxoSmithKline announced it reached a $2.5 million settlement with the Attorney General of New York over charges that the pharmaceutical company committed fraud by withholding negative information about their potentially dangerous drug. The lawsuit contended that the company had misrepresented data about the safety of Paxil in children.

According to the lawsuit, GlaxoSmithKline concealed information from four studies that concluded the drug was ineffective in treating depression in children and adolescents and potentially increased the risk of suicidal thoughts in young patients. In spite of evidence dating back to 1998 that Paxil was dangerous to adolescents and children, Paxil continued to push the drug. Paxil generated $55 million in revenue for GlaxoSmithKline in 2002.

The significant dangers of Paxil are even more disturbing in light of data from clinical trials that suggests the drug is not helpful in treating Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The FDA notes that "three well-controlled clinical trials carried out in children found that Paxil did not work any better than placebo in the treatment of MDD." The trials indicated that children treated with Paxil are three times more likely to have suicidal thoughts compared to those who were given the placebo.

Although the FDA never approved the use of Paxil in children and adolescents, physicians often prescribed the drug believing it was a safe and effective treatment for young patients. The complaint lashed out at the manufacturer of Paxil, noting that it "impaired doctors' ability to make the appropriate prescribing decision for their patients and may have jeopardized their health and safety."

IF YOUR CHILD TOOK PAXIL AND COMMITED VIOLENCE AGAINST HIMSELF OR OTHERS CLICK HERE FOR A FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL CASE EVALUATION

LAWSUITS INVOLVING SEVERE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS

Class action lawsuits related to Paxil withdrawal have been filed since August 24, 2001. The first individual lawsuit (as opposed to class action) that has was filed regarding withdrawal side effects took place in January of 2002.

Individuals have described a number of severe withdrawal reactions and problems such as: jolting electric "zaps," dizziness, light-headedness, vertigo, gait disturbances, sweating, extreme nausea, vomiting, high fever, abdominal discomfort, flu symptoms, anorexia, diarrhea, agitation, tremulousness, irritability, aggression, sleep disturbance, nightmares, tremor, confusion, memory and concentration difficulties, lethargy, malaise, weakness, fatigue, paraesthesias, ataxia, and/or myalgia. Often these withdrawal effects are experienced just hours after a missed dose.

These difficult withdrawal side effects, have left patients virtually addicted to the drug. Recently, The British drug agency required Glaxo to remove a statement on its patient label saying that the drug was not addictive.

If you would like a lawyer to confidentially review your potential paxil claim click here

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