When you take a medication that is supposed to help you find hope and find happiness, you expect it to do exactly that. In fact, many people who have been prescribed the drug Paxil have found themselves in a worse position after starting the treatment.
Critics argue that these situations could have been avoided if Paxil’s manufacturer had provided full disclosure about all the risks and potential side effects. Paxil is now facing a number of lawsuits and injured patients. Paxil lawyers can help you if you are such a patient.
Paxil is a prescription drug that is used to treat depression. While there are numerous side effects of Paxil that can affect any patient physically, emotionally, and psychologically, it may be even more dangerous when prescribed to children and adolescents. Paxil is prescribed to treat panic attacks, social anxiety disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
As part of a class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Paxil is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline and is designed to boost serotonin levels in the brain. Mental health professionals typically prescribe Paxil and other SSRIs for depression, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and other mental health disorders.
In addition to its FDA-approved uses, Paxil is prescribed off-label for some other conditions, including chronic headaches, diabetes-induced tingling in the limbs, and sexual dysfunction.
Paxil is a widely used medication, but it is associated with some dangers and side effects. A number of lawsuits have been filed since drug companies failed to warn about these side effects adequately, and people were unexpectedly harmed as a result of taking Paxil. You should seek the assistance of an experienced personal injury lawyer if you or a loved one took Paxil and experienced one of the many potentially serious side effects.
Adverse Reactions Experienced
Paxil has been associated with nausea, constipation, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, anxiety, insomnia, and tremors in some patients. Paxil may increase the likelihood of violent behavior and suicidal tendencies, according to some reports.
Paxil side effects range from mild to very severe. Possible side effects include, but are not limited to:
- Drowsiness
- Asthenia (lack of physical strength)
- Tremors
- Nervousness
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Profuse sweating
- Ejaculatory delay
- Weight loss
- Traumatic bone fractures
- Akinesia (temporary and painful muscle paralysis)
- Mania
- Paranoia
Status of the Drug
According to the Federal Drug Administration, the drug increases the risk of depression, suicidal tendencies, and suicidal behaviors. Paxil’s manufacturer, in conjunction with the FDA, issued a strong warning on the drug’s package of some of the more serious side effects.
Warnings Issued by Paxil’s Manufacturer
Paxil (paroxetine hydrochloride) was released by GlaxoSmithKline in 1992. It belongs to a class of drugs called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). Serotonin is said to be increased in the brain as a result of taking this medicine.
Since serotonin is associated with feelings of well-being and is believed to be deficient in those who suffer from depression and other similar mental health conditions, Paxil is typically prescribed to patients who suffer from such potentially debilitating health conditions.
Since its release, however, the maker of Paxil has received numerous complaints about extremely serious side effects. Some of these side effects have been linked to deaths and other frightening consequences including, but not limited to:
- Increased violent behavior
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Birth defects
- A rise in suicidal thoughts
- Worsening of depressive and anxiety symptoms
- Ineffective use in children
Research on SSRIs such as Paxil is limited, and much of what we know about the drug only comes from patients who have experienced these negative side effects during treatment with Paxil.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recognized some of these side effects and issued warnings in regards to increased instances of birth defects, increased suicidal thoughts, and the increase in violent behaviors among those who take Paxil. Physicians have been urged to be vigilant when prescribing the drug and informing their patients of its side effects.
See your doctor if you have experienced serious health problems after taking Paxil.
How Dangerous Are the Psychological Side Effects of Paxil?
Paxil can have very dangerous side effects. Patients with this condition may experience violent outbursts and suicidal thoughts. Even after just a few days of taking Paxil or after an increase in dosage, severe psychological side effects can occur.
Why May Paxil Be More Dangerous for Children?
Recent studies have indicated that children treated with Paxil are three times more likely to have suicidal thoughts than those treated with a placebo. Paxil is also not effective in treating Major Depressive Disorder in children, according to clinical trials.
Should I Stop Taking Paxil?
If you are experiencing side effects while taking Paxil, you should not stop taking the medication or decrease the dosage unless your doctor advises you to do so. Stopping the medication may temporarily relieve Paxil side effects, but Paxil withdrawal symptoms are often far worse than Paxil side effects. Paxil withdrawal can be so severe that patients are sometimes required to stay on the medication.
Manufacturers may be held liable for defective products- including defective drugs- even if there is no negligence on the part of the manufacturer. GlaxoSmithKline can be held responsible for Paxil-related problems if it causes unexpected, serious, or surprising side effects. It is necessary to show a causal link between Paxil use and some form of injury, illness, or other medical problem to hold GlaxoSmithKline liable.
Side effects associated with Paxil that have led to lawsuits in recent years include:
- Suits involving Paxil and congenital heart defects: Paxil-taking mothers gave birth to babies with various problems, including ventricular and atrial septal defects. The FDA warned of this link between Paxil and birth defects back in December of 2005.
- Suits are brought by family members of patients who committed suicide while taking Paxil: In lawsuits, plaintiffs allege a possible link between Paxil and suicide and claim Paxil failed to warn that taking the medication would increase suicidal thoughts and behavior. The FDA issued a warning in 2007 about the link between antidepressants and suicidal thoughts in young people.
Other cases involve severe withdrawal symptoms that patients were not warned about before beginning a Paxil treatment course.
Paxil’s side effects have led to multiple lawsuits filed by patients against GlaxoKlineSmith to hold the company responsible for the harm they suffered while taking the antidepressant medication. You may be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one have taken Paxil and suffered illness as a result. It is possible to obtain this compensation by joining a class action lawsuit or by filing your own lawsuit, and your personal injury lawyer can help you decide which option is best for you
Should I Consult a Lawyer if I Have Taken Paxil?
You may wish to contact an experienced class action lawyer who can help you protect your legal rights and get compensation for your injuries.
It is important that you contact an attorney as soon as possible following the discovery that you are suffering from Paxil side effects. You may also be entitled to compensation if your child was prescribed Paxil for depression. Find out if you could be a member of a class-action lawsuit against the makers of Paxil by contacting an attorney today.
