GlaxoSmithKline P.L.C. has agreed to pay $1 billion in an effort to avoid court costs and "uncertainties of litigation," simultaneously settling over 800 actions involving the antidepressant Paxil. According to Bloomberg, this leaves over 100 remaining cases involving claims that the drug caused birth defects in the children of some users.
Typically, the mother took the antidepressant during her pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. Allegations of damage to newborns because of the mother’s use of Paxil include a number of different heart malformations and some types of brain injuries, cleft lip and palate injuries. After September 2006, the drug packages contained more stringent warnings.
Comments for this article are closed.