More than 6,000 lawsuits have been filed in recent years against drugs taken by millions of patients: hormone-replacement drug Prempro, birth-control patch Ortho Evra, anti-psychotic Seroquel and anti-seizure drug Neurontin. These lawsuits raise questions about whether drug makers and the FDA pay enough attention to patient safety. Added to the list is Paxil.

Paxil is manufactured by Pharma giant Glaxo SmithKline. Paxil is approved for the treatment of depression, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder in adults.

A 2005 study showed major birth defects in babies born to women who took this antidepressant during the first three months they were pregnant. An article at www.nytimes.com discussed the study showing twice as many birth defects when mothers were on Paxil, compared to other SSRI drugs.

Paxil is an antidepressant drug belonging to a class of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Paxil is believed to be very addictive, and many users report severe withdrawal symptoms after discontinuing use. Some experts (and a jury in Cheyenne, Wyoming) have linked Paxil to an increased suicide risk.

Glaxo SmithKline Corporation, the manufacturer of Paxil, has been accused of misleading the public and the medical profession by downplaying side effects of the drug. In response, many victims have banded together and filed lawsuits against Glaxo SmithKline Corporation.