Drugmaker Accused of Withholding Information about Birth Defects Caused by Paxil

By Elizabeth Rhein

Published on August 15, 2006

The lawsuit was filed July 28 on behalf of Adrian Vasquez. The boy was born in 2004 with severe congenital heart defects that his mother and her lawyers claim were caused by the mother’s use of Paxil during her pregnancy. Several surgeries were required to repair Adrian’s heart, including one in which he received a pacemaker. Doctors anticipate that Adrian will require additional surgeries as he grows older.

In addition to claiming that Paxil caused Adrian’s heart defects, lawyers also allege that GlaxoSmithKline failed to accurately represent the known dangers of Paxil to pregnant women and their doctors.

Paxil is part of a group of antidepressants known as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. They have traditionally been prescribed to pregnant women in an effort to combat depression both during and after the birth of their children. Recent studies show, however, that this practice may not be safe. Paxil’s maker has changed the labeling of the drug to warn that it should not be used during the first trimester of pregnancy.

If you are pregnant and taking Paxil, you should talk to your doctor to determine the best course of action.

Comment on this article →