Paxil is a commonly used antidepressant drug manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline ever since the FDA approved it way back in 1992. In addition to treatment of depression, Paxil is also prescribed for general anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder. Paxil acts as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), and was considered generally safe until major complaints arose about its side effects. The drug has been reported to cause birth defects including heart and lung defects in children born to mothers who were using it during their pregnancy. This has led to the rise of many Paxil lawsuit settlements as many parents came out to sue the manufacturer.

Other Paxil lawsuits have arisen as a result of another side effect causing violent and suicidal tendencies in users especially under the age of 24 years. Back in 1998, a man on Paxil medication shot his family then turned the gun on himself. The legal process ended in a Paxil lawsuit settlement in 2001. The court ordered Glaxo to pay $6.4 million to the family filing suit. There were also additional charges of $2.5 million for claims that the company officials had hidden research that proves the suicidal tendencies amongst young patients. This was just one of the many Paxil lawsuit settlements to come.

Up to now, about 600 birth defect Paxil lawsuits have been filed. One of the earlier Paxil lawsuit settlements went to the family of Lyam Kilker who was born with severe heart defects. The ruling found the company responsible for hiding information about the possible risks of birth defects when pregnant mothers take Paxil. The mother’s doctor could not inform her of the risks since the information was hidden at that time. The family was awarded $2.5 million and this represents just one of the many Paxil lawsuit settlements to come.

Another of the commonly known Paxil lawsuit settlements was the class action lawsuit filed involving broken tablets. Two of the company’s plants were found to continually sell defective tablets that broke apart when consumed. This breaking apart of the tablets caused the drug to be released into the patient’s system too fast and in an irregular manner. This led to the worsening of the side effects. All the patients affected by the broken tablets during the specified period were collectively awarded $28 million. This was just one of several Paxil lawsuit settlements to arise as a result of class action.

There are many medical law firms, attorneys and lawyers who specialize in handling such Paxil lawsuit settlements. These lawyers can help those people who have been harmed because of using the drug Paxil. In case there is a loved one who seems to be suffering the extreme side effects of the drug, it is important to seek legal advice as they may be eligible for compensation. The manufacturers have also taken legal steps to protect themselves against these many Paxil lawsuit settlements. Part of the agreement requires victims who have received compensation not to reveal any information concerning their Paxil lawsuit settlements to anyone.



David Jefferson is the author of this article on Paxil Lawsuit 2011. Find more information on Paxil Lawsuit Settlements here