Dangers of Paxil – Birth Defects
The primary use for Paxil is to treat depression and other related disorders such as OCD. Many people on Paxil have reported having suicidal thoughts after taking this drug, mostly people under the age of 24.
Paxil Lawyer
Paxil works by altering or restoring the serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is responsible for moods and can be directly affected by Paxil or other SSRI class drugs. Many have had severe mood swings and other withdrawal problems when trying to quit the use of Paxil.
Paxil first came on the market in 1992 and was manufactured and marketed by GlaxoSmithKline. It was approved by the FDA for use as an antidepressant. This is a large profit center for the company and estimates are it has been generating about a tenth of their entire revenue. A warning for women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not take this drug.
A report was published by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant women and women planning to become pregnant should avoid using Paxil.
In this medical study it was illustrated that “epidemiological studies have shown that infants born to women who had first trimester paroxetine exposure had an increased risk of cardiovascular malformations, primarily ventricular and atrial septal defects (VSDs and ASDs).
Two independent studies confirmed that women taking Paxil in their first trimesters had babies with heart defects a twice the normal rate. Other problems that may occur in new borns are:
* Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in the Newborn (PPHN) * Child heart damage * Newborn baby lung damage * Heart valve damage
In general, septal defects range from those that are symptomatic and may require surgery to those that are asymptomatic and may resolve spontaneously. If a patient becomes pregnant while taking paroxetine (Paxil), she should be advised of the potential harm to the fetus. Unless the benefits of paroxetine (Paxil), to the mother justify continuing treatment, consideration should be given to either discontinuing paroxetine therapy or switching to another antidepressant. For women who intend to become pregnant or are in their first trimester of pregnancy, paroxetine (Paxil) should only be initiated after consideration of the other available treatment options.”
Paxil lawsuits against GlaxoSmithKline.
The first settlement from lawsuits for Paxil injuries was in 2004 when GlaxoSmithKline paid out $2.5 million, a small amount considering the 2.7 billion in yearly Paxil sales.
