Paxil linked to serious side effects
Many Tennessee residents have used a prescription medication known as Paxil, which is the brand name for the antidepressant drug paroxetine. However, the drug is known to cause several harmful side effects that consumers should be aware of.
Paxil, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor commonly prescribed to treat conditions such as depression, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Since Paxil was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1992, it has been linked to persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn babies of mothers taking the drug. It has also been linked to serotonin syndrome, which occurs when it is mixed with certain migraine medications. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include restlessness, hallucinations, rapid heartbeat, loss of coordination, increased body temperature, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
Paxil’s other potential risks include increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, bleeding problems, mania, seizures and sexual problems. People taking the drug may experience weakness, dry mouth, constipation, yawning, infection, sweating, dizziness, tremors, nervousness, sleeping difficulties, decreased appetite and fatigue. Those prescribed Paxil should not suddenly stop taking it. The dose must be gradually decreased under the care of a doctor.
Drug manufacturers have a legal obligation to make their products as safe as possible and to inform the public of all known risks associated with their medications. Tennessee residents who have been harmed by Paxil or other defective drugs may have grounds to file a products liability lawsuit against the drug manufacturer. If the case is successful, a plaintiff could be awarded compensation that covers medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and other related damages.
Source: FindLaw, “Paxil“, accessed on March 22, 2017