Paxil Facts:

The FDA issued an alert in July 2006 warning about the increased risk of Neonatal Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN) by mothers taking SSRI antidepressants such as Celexa (citalopram), Fluvoxamine, Lexapro (escitalopram), Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), Symbyax (olanzapine and fluoxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline). Studies have shown that babies born to mothers who took Paxil were 6 times as likely to develop Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN), than babies born to mothers who did not take Paxil during pregnancy.

Side Effects for Paxil babies include, but are not limited to the following:

* Heart Birth Defects (Atrial or Ventricular Septal Defects, Murmurs, etc)

* Lung Birth Defects (Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension)

* Craniosynostosis (resulting in an abnormally shaped head)

* Abdominal Birth Defects (Omphalocele)

* Cranial Birth Defects (Craniosynostosis)

Usage:

Paxil (Paroxetine or paroxetine hydrochloride) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant. It was released in 1992 by the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline and has since become one of the most prescribed antidepressants on the market due to its apparent efficacy in treating depression as well as a spectrum of anxiety disorders ranging from panic attacks to phobias.

Litigation:

Over the years, the safety of Paxil has been questioned, and Paxil was never FDA approved for patients younger than the age 18 because of studies showing it was not effective. Over the years, adults using Paxil have filed lawsuits over adverse side effects and withdrawal problems. Now Glaxo is facing a number of lawsuits from U.S. parents of children and adolescents given Paxil after making claims the company has suppressed data showing the drug increased suicidal tendencies in young people.

Glaxo continues to market their product and advise against discontinuing use of Paxil during pregnancy despite the increased risk for birth defects. To support their position Glaxo cites a study that indicated a 68% relapse rate for major depression during the course of the pregnancy for women who stopped taking medication for depression during pregnancy. As Glaxo points out the risk for recurrence of depression, they fail to indicate that the risk of PPHN doubles with the use of SSRI medications such as Paxil during pregnancy.

If you or someone you know suffers from an injury, birth defects, or other side effects, or if you have lost a loved one due to these dangers, you are not alone and you deserve answers. Make sure to contact our experienced, compassionate, and knowledgeable DrugSettlement.com birth defects lawyer by using our contact form.

If you or a member of your family may have been injured as a result of a pharmaceutical drug, please contact the defective drug lawyers at the Law Office of Nix and McIntyre.

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