Paxil Birth Defect Litigation

Paxil (paroxetine hydrochloride) is a prescription drug belonging to a class of drugs known as SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). Paxil (or Paroxteine), other SSRIs and their generic counterparts are commonly referred to as antidepressants. Paxil and/or Paroxetine is prescribed for the treatment of depression, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder (SAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and other conditions.

Paxil Linked to Increased Risk of Birth Defects

In December 2005, a Public Health Advisory concerning Paxil was issued by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after two separate studies showed that exposure to Paxil or its generic counterparts during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of birth defects. The most common types of birth defects caused by Paxil are atrial septal defects and ventricular septal defects, which are both congenital malformations of the heart. Paxil has also been linked to other birth defects including craniosynostosis (abnormally shaped skull) and a serious lung condition known as Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN).

If you took Paxil, Paroxetine, or any SSRI during pregnancy and your baby was born with a birth defect, you should not feel guilty, because you did not do anything wrong.

You should, however, take action against the drug companies who continued to market these drugs as safe and effective for use during pregnancy when they knew otherwise.

Our Involvement in Paxil Litigation

Blizzard, McCarthy & Nabers represents a number of parents and children who have been affected by birth defects caused by Paxil. The attorneys at Blizzard, McCarthy & Nabers have participated in reviewing documents produced by GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturer of Paxil, and strongly believe that the documents clearly demonstrate that GlaxoSmithKline knew that using Paxil during pregnancy caused birth defects. Despite the fact that GlaxoSmithKline had knowledge that Paxil could cause any number of life threatening birth defects, they continued to actively market Paxil to pregnant women.

Recently, depositions of GlaxoSmithKline corporate witnesses have been taken. More depositions are scheduled in the months ahead. The attorneys at Blizzard, McCarthy & Nabers believe these depositions will bolster the growing evidence that using Paxil during pregnancy causes birth defects and that GlaxoSmithKline knew about it long before the FDA issued its Public Health Advisory in December 2005.

More Paxil Birth Defect Studies Published

Additionally, there are a number of scientific studies that have linked the use of SSRIs generally, and Paxil in particular, to birth defects. These studies prompted the FDA to request that the labeling of Paxil be changed to include warnings about an increased risk of birth defects. The FDA also changed the birth defect risk for Paxil from Category C to Category D, indicating that there is positive evidence of fetal risk. Most recently, a study has shown that SSRI drugs, including Paxil, are also linked to preterm birth. Twenty three percent (23%) of the women in the study who took an SSRI drug throughout pregnancy gave birth to premature babies. Conversely, only six percent (6%) of the women who did not take an SSRI drug during pregnancy had preterm babies.

What You Can Do & How Our Law Firm Can Help

If you took Paxil, Paroxetine, or any SSRI during pregnancy and your baby was born with a birth defect, you should not feel guilty, because you did not do anything wrong. You should, however, take action against the drug companies who continued to market these drugs as safe and effective for use during pregnancy when they knew otherwise.

Blizzard, McCarthy & Nabers is currently active in litigating these cases against the makers of Paxil. Please use the form below to contact us for a free case evaluation or call toll free 24 hrs/day (866) 879-3040. We look forward to helping you.