Among all of the controversies surrounding the popular antidepressant medication Paxil, the most popular topics right now is whether Paxil really causes birth defects in children born to women who take Paxil during pregnancy.
With so much research being conducted that shows Paxil’s risk to unborn babies coming to light, more and more doctors are using the press to urge pregnant women and women who are thinking of getting pregnant to stop taking the drug. They are warning them that Paxil can cause birth defects in their children.
Research has already proven the link between Paxil and birth defects to be as high as giving the babies a 50/50 chance of being born with birth defects. Paxil birth defects usually end up with the baby experiencing heart complications. For a while, the fact that Paxil caused birth defects was hidden from the public or, at least, not widely advertised. It is for this reason and many others that the makers of the drug, GlaxoSmithKline, has settled more than $1 billion in damages and fines.
Last year Glaxo settled a whistleblower lawsuit for $750 million. This case was alleging that the company sold adulterated drugs, and that the company ignored other various problems at the manufacturing plant in Puerto Rico, including mixed packaging. That plant has since been closed down for what the company says are reasons that are unconnected to the settlement.
If you are depressed and thinking about becoming pregnant, again you are advised against taking Paxil. However, if you have taken Paxil during pregnancy and have had a baby that was born with birth defects, you may want to contact an experienced attorney. You may be eligible for compensation for your child’s injuries, which may include heart defects, club feet and other abnormalities. Don’t suffer alone with your child’s medical expenses when you may not have to.
