Paxil is a pharmaceutical drug prescribed to treat depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD), and panic disorder. Paxil is known to cause a number of serious side effects, including increased risk of suicide and birth defects.  Cardiovascular birth defects are twice as high in new born infants whose mothers were taking Paxil.

Due to these dangerous side effects, Paxil is considered to be a defective drug. The manufacturer of Paxil, GlaxoSmithKline, is negligent because it failed to properly inform physicians and patients of the dangerous side effects. Victims and their family members injured by Paxil may be entitled to receive compensation for their injuries.

Paxil & Anxiety Disorders

Approximately 19 million Americans are affected with some type of anxiety disorder, including obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disorder that disrupts the brain's interpretation process. In OCD, the brain becomes fixated on a particular thought or urge. Examples include hours of hand washing or continually driving around a block before stopping the vehicle. Very effective treatments are available to help return the behavior to normal.

Depression interferes with a person's ability to carry on with daily tasks and enjoy activities that brought pleasure. Symptoms of depression include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, low energy, and difficulty in concentrating. Antidepressant drugs reduce the symptoms and allow the depressed person to regain an interest in their previous surroundings.

Paxil Side Effects

Paxil was intended to treat the urges, feelings, and thoughts associated with depression, anxiety, and OCD. However, Paxil can cause increased suicidal risk and deepened depression. A high number of patients who have taken Paxil have committed suicide.

In addition, studies indicate an association between birth defects and women taking Paxil during the first trimester of their pregnancy. Cardiovascular birth defects have doubled in babies delivered by mothers taking Paxil. Furthermore, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) studies have shown that women treated with Paxil have a higher risk of delivering a child with birth defects than women taking other antidepressant drugs.

Paxil Lawsuits

If you or a loved one has been injured by Paxil and its side effect, such as suicide or delivering an infant with birth defects, then you may be eligible for compensation. Drug manufacturers are required by law to ensure that their products are safe and effective before introducing them to the marketplace for general consumption. Failure to adequately inform consumers of the risks associated with use of their drugs can be viewed as negligent and grounds for personal injury litigation. The Law Offices of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz boast some of the most experienced defective drug lawyers in the United States. Contact the defective drug attorneys of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz today at (877) 810 4808 to learn more about your rights as a Paxil injury victim.