Paxil, as well as other SSRIs, has been linked to Persistant Pulmonary Hypertension in the Newborn (PPHN) - a devastating condition affecting the heart and lungs of newborn infants. Babies are unable to breath properly due to constricted blood vessels which cut off oxygen to the blood and cause damage to other organs such as brain and kidneys.
Even babies that receive treatment may not recover, and those that do may have long-term breathing problems.
Paxil is used by millions of people worldwide and generates more than $1 billion in annual sales. Paxil has been in the news previously for complaints of severe withdrawal symptoms and risks of suicidal behavior and increased violence in children and adolescents. Paxil is known as a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI).
The FDA warns physicians to carefully weigh the potential risks and benefits of prescribing or renewing Paxil prescriptions to women during pregnancy or while breast-feeding. It is important that all patients are aware of the side effects, risks, and treatment alternatives.
Paxil Prenatal Exposure Risks
Paxil has the potential to influence fetal development, resulting in congenital defects in newborns, and withdrawal symptoms that torment babies for days or weeks after birth. [
READ MORE]
What is Paroxetine
Paxil (paroxetine) is a class of medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It is used to treat:
- Depression
- Panic disorder
- Social anxiety disorder (SAD)
- Obsessive-coompulsive disorder (OCD)
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) [READ MORE]
Paxil Q&A
- What is paroxetine?
- Does paroxetine cause birth defects?
- What should women do if they are pregnant and taking paroxetine?
- What if I am taking paroxetine and want to get pregnant?
- Should I switch to another antidepressant?[READ THE ANSWERS]
Paxil Alerts
[
UPDATES] on FDA Advisories and Safety Alters, GlaxoSmithKline Healthcare Professional Advisories and Health Organization Advisories.
Philadelphia, PA: A jury in Pennsylvania has returned a landmark ruling in the case of Lyam Kilker, whose family sued GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) alleging the boy was born with Paxil birth defects. With another 600 or so suits pending, the settlement of $2.5 million is precedent-setting. [ 
Springhill, FL : Kristine's son was born without incident – a healthy baby boy. He is now 4 years old and was recently diagnosed with a condition that could kill him if his parent's aren't vigilant. It turns out he was born with this condition, and Kristine wonders if the Paxil she took while pregnant could have contributed – could it be a Paxil birth defect? [ 
Los Angeles, CA: Like many personal injury lawyers, Kate Gillespie started her career a few years ago working for the other side. Then about 18 months ago, she joined Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman, one of the biggest personal injury and wrongful death firms in California. [ 
