Research in recent years has indicated that an estimated ten percent of Americans1 has been prescribed some type of antidepressant medication, which means that more than 31 million people take this type of medicine to combat depression and related symptoms. Despite the widespread use of these prescriptions and the benefits they provide for many patients, these drugs also have the potential to cause serious and even dangerous side effects in users. Specifically, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been associated with injuries and even fatalities in the United States.
Manufacturers have the legal duty to sell medications that are safe for use and to market these medications appropriately to fully warn potential consumers of all of the potential risks of taking the medication. Unfortunately, many large pharmaceutical companies fail to do so and producers of antidepressants are no different. In the past years, there has been a rise in legal claims against pharmaceutical giants regarding injuries caused by SSRIs. If you have suffered an injury or loss due to an SSRI, you should discuss your situation with an experienced drug injury attorney as soon as possible.
Types of Antidepressants and their effects
The following are some examples of SSRIs on the market that may lead to serious side effects include as follows:
- Zoloft
- Prozac
- Lexapro
- Paxil
- Effexor
- Celexa
- Symbyax
- Serzone
- Fluvoxamine
If you have taken any of the above medications, you may have experienced some of the following dangerous effects:
- An increase in sudden suicidality, which includes suicidal thoughts and actions. This is especially a risk for children and adolescents and has led to premature death in many cases.
- Development of serotonin syndrome,2 which occurs when a users takes a combination of the SSRI and certain other types of medications or vitamins. This can be a life-threatening condition that causes agitation, high blood pressure, increased heart rate, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, hallucination and confusion, coordination difficulties, muscle spasms, tremors, and more. Victims of serotonin syndrome often require hospitalization for IV fluids and medication and, if untreated, the condition can lead to death.
- Birth defect called persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn if the mother took SSRIs while pregnant. This defect can cause serious complications and can lead to death of the infant.
As you can see, the major risks of taking certain SSRIs can be high. While not all users experience these side effects, the companies should properly warn consumers of the dangers of these drugs. If a user is unaware of the risks or experiences dangerous side effects, they should be able to recover for their losses from the negligent company.
If you have suffered injury from antidepressants, contact a Michigan drug injury lawyer today
At the law office of Michigan Injury Lawyers, we understand how serious drug injuries can be. We are committed to protecting the rights of consumers against negligent corporations and will help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (313) 438-4357 for a free consultation.
References:
1http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/12/a-glut-of-antidepressants/
2https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007272.htm