Antidepressants
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the use of antidepressants by adults has nearly tripled in the last decade, despite reports of some antidepressants actually increasing the risk of suicidal behavior in depressed people, especially in the first few days of taking such medications ("Antidepressant Use by U.S. Adults Soars," Washington Post, December 3, 2004). In 2002, the last year for which data is available, about 6% of all U.S. children were also taking antidepressants.
Today there are over 20 different anti-depressant medications on the market, many aggressively marketed in television, internet and print advertising. Many of these medications claim to restore a person's "equilibrium" and happiness. But many of them may have dangerous or fatal side effects, including liver, renal, and kidney damage, heart damage, and risks of heart attack, stroke, suicide, and death. If you have suffered serious side effects as a result of taking an anti-depressant, seek medical attention for your problem, and consider calling on a law firm with experience in personal injury cases involving anti-depressants.
The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin continually monitors reports on prescription anti-depressants. If you or someone you love has suffered as a result of being treated with an anti-depressant, a consultation with a personal injury law firm skilled in handling dangerous drug cases can be of enormous value. Call us today to learn about your options, including the possibility of recovering damages from your case.
Learn more about the medications currently on our watch list:
Effexor
Effexor (venlafaxine) is an antidepressant with a structure that does not resemble those of any other currently used antidepressant. Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, makers of Effexor, sent a two-page letter in August 2003 to healthcare workers in the US warning about the hazards of prescribing Effexor for children. The Wyeth letter states that Effexor was not effective in treating depression or anxiety and that there were increased “reports of …
Paxil
The FDA has been investigating the potential harmful side effects the drug Paxil causes its users since June of 2003. There are reports that the drug has caused an increased risk of violent behavior, suicidal thinking, and suicide attempts, especially in adolescents. The FDA currently recommends that …
Prozac
Prozac is an antidepressant of the class of medications known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, or SSRIs. One of the most common side effects of the prescription drug Prozac is tardive akasthia, in which the patient possesses …
Serzone
Cases of life-threatening liver failure necessitating a liver transplant and/or death have been reported in patients treated with Serzone. In December 2001, the FDA added a “black box” warning to Serzone’s prescribing information labeling for doctors. Black box warnings call attention to situations involving considerable risk that might require additional information or monitoring to prevent an adverse effect, and are considered the most stringent warning the FDA can administer…
Zoloft
Zoloft is an anti-depressant of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs) class. It is primarily prescribed for depression, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Zoloft can cause a number of distressing side effects, notably …
