Depression has gained increasing awareness in the United States. With improved diagnosing techniques, there has been more effort to treat and prevent the illness. Many times, treatment has involved the use of drugs. Drug companies have responded with an increasing amount of drugs being created and tested by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Unfortunately, with new drugs comes new liability.
Celexa
Celexa is a popular new drug to treat depression. It works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain relieving major depressive disorders. It was approved for use by pregnant women and studies have shown that high dosage can lead to birth defects, including development problems in the heart, premature hardening of the skull, and cleft palates. It can also be excreted through breast milk and can interfere with weight gain in babies. As a result of the studies, the FDA has recommended new labeling to reflect the proper dosage and use instructions.
Paxil
Studies of Paxil have shown many of the same issues as with Celexa, mainly that there is a risk of birth defects in the use by pregnant women. Such drugs have been found in studies to cause persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPH). At this point the FDA denies any such link. Canadian health authorities, however, are more convinced of such birth defect issues and have allowed a class action to move forward as plaintiffs have alleged a connection between taking the drug during pregnancy and babies being born with holes in their hearts. No doubt the manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, and the FDA will be paying a lot of attention to the issues raised in this litigation.
Prozac
Prozac is one of the most popular selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drugs on the market. In addition to treating depression, it is also used to treat bulimia nervosa, panic disorder, and premenstrual disorders. As with other SSRIs, the FDA has increased the warnings given to these drugs but has not found a direct causal link to take the drug off the market. Recently, a court in Pennsylvania dismissed a lawsuit where a man alleged Prozac caused him to murder his father. The case was dismissed due to the statute of limitation but it will be interesting to see if other similar complaints come through.
It is still worth letting the FDA know of any issues that injured parties suspect may be linked to any of these drugs. Seek an attorney immediately as there may be a class action in progress.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice. Do not rely on the above information as all cases are different and different laws apply to different cases. Consult an attorney in your area for further guidance. If you were injured from a depression drug please call one of our attorneys at David K. Kremin & Associates, and we will give you a free consultation. We never charge unless we collect for you. Please call 1(800) ASK-A-LAWYER or 1(800)275-2529, askalawyer@aol.com, 1800askalawyer.com.