Paxil, a drug often used to treat moderate to severe depression, is a Pregnancy Category D medication. This means, basically, that it isn’t recommended for pregnant women, but that doctors can prescribe it to pregnant women if they feel the benefits for the woman outweigh the Paxil birth defects risks for the developing baby.

If you’ve read any research about Paxil and what it can do to a developing baby, you might wonder how, exactly, the medication was placed in this particular category. It potentially places developing babies at all stages of development at serious risk, and many researchers argue that it shouldn’t be used by pregnant women at all. Not only that, but many also argue that it shouldn’t even be used by women who have a chance of becoming pregnant.

Why the difference here? Well, for one thing, the Paxil side effects and Paxil birth defects that have long been known in the research community aren’t necessarily accepted by doctors at large. This has a lot to do with the fact that birth defects from this medication are somewhat rare. However, what woman would take a chance of giving her baby a birth defect, even if she knew the chance was slight?

When Paxil Affects a Baby
In many Paxil lawsuit pregnancy claims, pregnancy was unknown at first while the woman was on the medication. Most women are halfway or more through their first trimester before they even become aware of a pregnancy, and some of the worst Paxil birth defects develop during this time.

These problems can include congenital heart defects, as well as defects of the abdomen and cranium. Babies who are exposed to this medication early in their development are already starting to have hearts, heads, and bodies, which is why Paxil can have such devastating effects early in a pregnancy.

Women who are taking Paxil late in a pregnancy may also run the risk of major birth defects in their children. At this point, defects and problems may be less serious, including babies who have Paxil withdrawal symptoms when they are first born. Fetuses who are exposed to Paxil during the third trimester of development also run the risk of developing Paxil PPHN, a rare side effect that can cause major developmental delays, hearing and speech problems, and even infant death.

Paxil Lawsuit Birth Defects
Because Paxil affects a developing baby in different ways at different times of the pregnancy, it may be difficult to sort out when a birth defect is due to this medication and when it is not. If you think your baby has a Paxil birth defect, it may be time to look at hiring an experienced attorney to discuss your legal option including being part of a Paxil lawsuit birth defects claim which can help pay for your child’s special medical needs or to help your family adjust financially with ongoing care.

The drug Paxil, the GlaxoSmithKline company’s trade name for paroxetine, has a long history with no shortage of controversy. Paxil lawsuit birth defects claims have involved everything from consumer fraud to a host of birth defects. Paxil birth defects are mostly associated with the heart, lungs and brain. The most common birth defect caused by Paxil is PPHN, an acronym for Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in the Newborn. This condition is life threatening and may be very long-term in its effects. The affected infant may never breathe correctly if they’re affected by this disorder.

Paxil Side Effects

Paroxetine is associated with a host of side effects. The manufacturer has been accused of misleading consumers about some of these effects in an effort to make their drug more marketable. Some of the side effects of Paxil are very distressing. This drug has been known to cause its users to have suicidal tendencies. The drug is currently not prescribed to minors.

Pregnant women will be advised to discontinue Paxil use due to the risk of Paxil birth defects including Paxil PPHN, omphalocele, and craniosynostosis . Many of these women found out that quitting the drug was much more difficult than they may have imagined. This drug was advertised as being non-habit forming. In 2004, the FDA found that GlaxoSmithKline had misled consumers in these advertisements. One of the most well known Paxil side effects is the difficulty that presents itself to those who need to get off of this drug.

There have been numerous Paxil lawsuits; nearly 5,000, in fact. The company has already paid out 2.5 million dollars in consumer fraud claims. The company, however, has made well over 2 billion dollars off the sale of this drug, which is still popular despite the many problems.

What Paxil Is

Paxil is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. The drug is considered to be among the most effective—and is sometimes regarded as the most effective—of this family of drugs. It is used to treat a wide range of medical problems.

You may have been prescribed Paxil to treat Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and depression, compulsive gambling or the hot flashes that accompany menopause. Paxil side effects encompass a long list of items.

Paxil birth defects can include cardiovascular malformations of many kinds, and the FDA recommends that pregnant women discontinue use as soon as they know they’re pregnant. If your child developed birth defects including Paxil PPHN, you may be eligible to file a Paxil lawsuit. Claims are currently being filed individually and there is no national Paxil class action lawsuit. Pregnancy cases have already been filed, and there is strong evidence that paroxetine causes specific and devastating birth defects. If you were prescribed this medication and your child has suffered a birth defect, you should contact an attorney to discuss your legal options.

In the early part of the first decade of the 21st century, a new drug came on the market that proclaimed to help those afflicted with severe clinical depression in a way that no drug had yet been able to match. And for the most part, the drug worked to help patients overcome all manner of issues related to the onset of clinical depression. Unfortunately, there are some serious side effects to the drug as well. The name of the medication is Paxil, and there has been growing controversy regarding the effects of the drug. Families affected by this drug continue to look at their legal options, including filing a Paxil birth defect lawsuit.

What Is Paxil?

Paxil is a medication produced and distributed by GlaxoSmithKline, the multibillion-dollar pharmaceuticals company that has produced hundreds of medications treating many different medical conditions. Paxil is a medication intended to treat severe cases of depression in patients that have been completely unresponsive to other, more traditional forms of treatment and therapy.

Paxil itself is chemically known as Paroxetene Hydrochloride, and it is a powerful antidepressant that works by inhibiting serotonin receptors in the brain. It has been prescribed in the treatment of a vast array of mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, manic episodes, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Have There Been Many Paxil Lawsuits to Date?

The short answer is, yes. There have been many lawsuits filed against GlaxoSmithKline, and against doctors who have prescribed Paxil to patients who were pregnant or were planning to become pregnant. Many of these lawsuits focus on Paxil birth defects, including Paxil PPHN (Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in Newborns) and a variety of other cardiopulmonary conditions in newborns.

GlaxoSmithKline revised the warnings and recommendations for Paxil in 2005, when the FDA issued a health advisory, warning that Paxil posed significant risk for a variety of side effects, including birth defects and suicidal thoughts. Most cases are still pending in litigation and it is anticipated that there will be more Paxil lawsuit settlements in the future.

What Are the Birth Defects?

One of the most commonly diagnosed birth defects brought on by the use of Paxil by pregnant women is Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in Newborns (PPHN). PPHN is a cardiopulmonary disorder that prevents the vascular system from pumping blood through the heart, which forces the body to push blood through fetal channels. That can cause severe developmental problems as the newborn grows.

Paxil can also cause different types of congenital heart disorders in newborns, including holes, thin aortic muscle fibers and other cardiopulmonary conditions that can cause developmental problems, and in extreme cases, death.

Are There Other Side Effects of Paxil?

Paxil has been linked to chronic weight gain, irritability, suicidal thoughts and other physiological issues. Along with the large number of Paxil and pregnancy lawsuits for birth defects, there have also been wrongful death lawsuits for patients that committed suicide while taking Paxil for depression. In fact, it was a number of suicide attempts that prompted the FDA to issue a health warning regarding Paxil. This new warning then prompted GlaxoSmithKline to adopt a stronger health warning for the medication.

If you feel that you’ve been affected by Paxil side effects caused by one of GlaxoSmithKline’s most successful products, Paxil, you’re not alone. This drug is known to cause birth defects, including Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in the Newborn (PPHN), a devastating, and potentially fatal, birth defect that affects the heart and the lungs. This drug has a long history of controversy, including cessation issues and even more serious problems.

Paxil PPHN

Paxil-related PPHN is a well-known phenomenon. This birth disorder causes problems with the infant’s breathing and, because they cannot get sufficient oxygen, there may be further complications. The baby may never be able to breathe normally if they are affected by this disorder.

Paxil birth defects also include a host of heart problems and skull abnormalities. This drug is not recommended for women who are pregnant. Women who insist on taking this drug during pregnancy should be warned about the hazards. If you weren’t, and if your infant suffered as a result of that lack of information being provided to you, you may be eligible to participate in a Paxil lawsuit pregnancy claim.

Paxil Side Effects

Paxil birth defects are not the only problems associated with this drug. It has a host of side effects. The drug is widely regarded as among the most effective of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) on the market. Its primary indications are for the treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), some forms of clinical depression and for the treatment of panic attacks. It is sometimes used to treat hot flashes in post-menopausal women and is sometimes used to treat those who suffer from a compulsion to gamble.

Paxil’s known side effects are myriad and often serious. This drug is strongly associated with a marked increase in suicidal tendencies and idealization. It is currently not commonly used to treat teenagers and young people because of this. The drug is also notorious for being difficult to quit, and GlaxoSmithKline has already been found to have misled the public by describing this drug as “non-habit forming.” There have been thousands of Paxil lawsuit cases filed already, and the company has paid over millions of dollars in settlements due to consumer claims.

Given that the connection between Paxil and birth defects is well-established, pregnant women are advised to not take this drug at all. The withdrawal symptoms, however, are pronounced and unpleasant.

Filing a Paxil Lawsuit over Birth Defects
An attorney can help you to determine if you have a case. GlaxoSmithKline is dealing with an increasing number of claims over this drug, and there are numerous pending lawsuits. The company has been found to have misled the public and to have worked to avoid clinical trials that would have affected the salability of this drug. Paxil is properly known as paroxetine, and is also sold as a generic. If you have questions about legal issues related to this medication, contact a Paxil attorney.

When you buy a prescription medication, you have a right to reasonably believe that it has been tested and approved according to strict conditions. You also have the right to have all the information about that drug, good and bad, presented to you by the company so that you can make an informed decision. Where Paxil—generic name paroxetine—is concerned, it has been argued that neither was the case. Paxil birth defects are a heartbreaking and all-too-common reason that people are motivated to file a Paxil lawsuit. Please contact us for the latest Paxil settlement updates.

How This Happened

In 2004, the FDA said that the manufacturer of Paxil, GlaxoSmithKline, had confused the public in its advertising campaigns and, further, documents showed that the company may have avoided having studies on the drug that they suspected would result in negative outcomes. There have been Paxil lawsuit birth defects claims filed over these issues already and the company has paid out millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts.

Paxil is prescribed for a variety of different conditions; the majority of them are anxiety and depression disorders. It is used to treat Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) as well as clinical depression. The drug is used to treat Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and is used in the treatment of the hot flashes that accompany menopause. It is used to treat other physiological conditions, as well, including premature ejaculation.

Paxil side effects, including an increase in suicidal thoughts and tendencies, have made it strongly recommended against for the treatment of those under 24 years of age, as those problems are more pronounced among younger people. The drug has a host of other side effects associated with it, primarily related to birth defects.

Paxil Lawsuit and Pregnancy Cases

Paxil is not recommended for expecting mothers. The drug is known to cause serious birth defects. The most commonly associated birth defect is called PPHN. Paxil PPHN—the acronym stands for Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in the Newborn—is sometimes fatal and always serious. The disorder causes problems with the baby’s blood being properly oxygenated. It can damage the eyes and kidneys, and cause other problems, as well. If your child suffered these birth defects and you were being treated with Paxil, you may be eligible for damages, depending upon the specific circumstances.

You deserved to be informed of the risks of continuing Paxil therapy if you were pregnant. If you were not and have suffered Paxil birth defects, you should contact a lawyer to investigate your options. There are families throughout the United States that have investigated their legal options including a Paxil lawsuit over pregnancy problems and birth defects. Cases are continuing to be filed individually and there is currently no national Paxil class action lawsuit.

Paxil is a well-known and popular treatment for several different anxiety and depression disorders. It is among one of the first selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors to be introduced on the market. There have been thousands of lawsuits filed in relation to this drug; many of them have to do with Paxil birth defect incidences. Paxil and birth defects are established to be connected and there are specific disorders that are linked to this drug. The number of Paxil and pregnancy lawsuits continue to increase as more families become aware of the connection between Paxil and birth defects.

Paxil PPHN

PPHN is a birth defect that affects the baby’s heart and lungs. The acronym stands for Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in the Newborn. It is very serious, sometimes fatal and oftentimes has long-lasting effects. Primarily, it starves the blood of oxygen and can cause damage to organs including the kidneys and the eyes.

Paxil is also associated with other malformations of the heart and skull. Paxil birth defects of this type are just as serious. The FDA specifically recommends that this particular drug not be used for the treatment of pregnant women. If you weren’t’ warned about this, you may well be able to file a Paxil lawsuit.

Other Paxil Side Effects

This drug has a host of other side effects, as well, some of them very serious. In younger people—specifically under the age of 24—it is strongly implicated in their idealizing suicide and, in some cases, in suicidal tendencies. It has also been associated with feelings of electricity rushing through the nerves, nightmares, dizziness, sexual dysfunction and weight gain. This drug is not recommended for use in those under 24 years of age unless, after exacting examination, it has been determined that the potential rewards outweigh the potential risks of continuing treatment with this drug.

Paxil Lawsuit 2010

There are lawyers who specialize in these types of cases. Chances are, you’re not the only one who needs a wrong done to them redressed. These lawyers can help explain your legal rights and discuss the latest news regarding Paxil birth defect settlements.