Paxil Legal News Articles & Interviews

Washington, DC In what is being touted as the largest case of healthcare fraud in US history, GlaxoSmithKline Plc (GSK) is pleading guilty to misdemeanor criminal charges and will pay $3 billion in settlement of those charges relating to its drugs Paxil, Wellbutrin, and Avandia.

Nashville, TN On the surface it's an alarming finding, and while other factors may be at play the concern remains that for each SSRI prescription an expectant mom fills during the second trimester of her pregnancy, her odds of going into premature labor can double. Such is this latest concern over Paxil side effects—a popular antidepressant in the class identified as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).

Memphis, TN Yet another study has been conducted that suggests infants may be susceptible to Paxil side effects and side effects from other, similar medications. Although the study did not examine the risk of Paxil heart defects, it did study what effect maternal use of an SSRI had on a newborn infant. The study found that there is some risk of Paxil side effects, and other antidepressant side effects in infants exposed to the medication prior to birth.

San Diego, CA A recent study, suggesting that SSRI medications may not be effective in treating behaviors associated with autism, may add to the confusion about using SSRI medications while pregnant. Women who are concerned about Paxil side effects and the risk of Paxil birth defects when infants are exposed to SSRIs before birth may have more reason for concern about Paxil heart defects with the publication of the study.

Washington, DC "Now they're going to think for the rest of their lives that it was her fault because she took Paxil." Adrienne Einarson, semiretired assistant director of Motherisk in Toronto, was commenting on the debate that continues to boil surrounding antidepressants and pregnancy. Some studies have linked Paxil side effects and birth defects in babies. Other studies have been inconclusive. Still others have found no greater risk. Most find the risk to be small.

Montreal, PQ The more serious side of Paxil side effects—namely, the potential for Paxil birth defects in children born of mothers continuing to take paroxetine (Paxil) and other SSRI antidepressants—has been known for some time. It was in 2005 that Paxil manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline initiated a study that subsequently identified the risk for birth defects. Late last year, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) included Paxil on a watch list.

Washington, DC The debate over the wisdom in stopping SSRI antidepressants before pregnancy to minimize Paxil side effects impacting the newborn, v. the risk to the mother if her medication is paused, continues to rage as evidenced by a recent report in the Detroit Free Press (3/11/12).

Washington, DC Upon learning that they are pregnant, many women are able to nix the sushi, alcohol and caffeine, but antidepressants are a different issue. Despite the associated risks with a variety of medications and Paxil side effects, some women continue to use the drugs, The Baltimore Sun reported.

Aspen, CO Ever since pregnant women have been prescribed medications, concerns about the risks associated with those medications, such as the risk of Paxil side effects have been a source of debate. While some people are concerned that the risk of Paxil birth defects is too high, others argue that the risk associated with untreated depression during pregnancy is equally alarming. Caught in the middle are pregnant women, and those who have filed a Paxil lawsuit, alleging their baby was born with heart defects after exposure to the antidepressant.

New York, NY Paxil appears to be among those drugs that might qualify under "damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't" status. Paxil side effects are many and varied, serving as a trigger for many a Paxil lawsuit. And yet, in spite of continued warnings by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that link the antidepressant to such adverse reactions as birth defects, proponents continue to sing its praises and the debate continues…