Previously claimed to be safe for use in the treatment of adolescent depression, a new study released in September 2015 found that Paxil's side effects were much more dangerous than previously stated. Particularly, suicide risk and homicidal ideation among teenage patients was severe. The original Paxil trial was conducted in 2001, led by Brown University's Dr. Martin Keller. The trial consisted of three groups of approximately 90 adolescent participants, receiving either Paxil, a placebo, or imipramine, a generic depression medication. By tracking depression scores for a period of eight weeks, researchers found that participants receiving Paxil rated the same as participants receiving imipramine or the placebo, and scored higher on secondary measures. Using the same data presented in the 2001 Paxil study, the research team performed a reanalysis looking at internal reports of the trial, summaries, and patient-level data describing the experiences of individuals participating in the original trial. Over the past 14 years, the original study has been heavily critiqued, with critics claiming that serious side effects of Paxil had been downplayed; the recent reanalysis supports those claims. Since the dangerous medication was first introduced, millions of prescriptions have been issued. This analysis has shown that Paxil was neither safe nor effective. It also shows that the severe side effects of Paxil were mislabeled. Passed off simply as emotional liability, the patient-level data shed light on the seriousness of what actually occurred; overdose, serious suicidal ideation and homicidal ideation. These adverse events were never made known; researchers only learned of them by digging deep into the patient-level study data. Taking or withdrawing from Paxil has been associated with suicide and other violent acts in teenagers and others. With millions of teens being prescribed these drugs, the damages could be severe. Have you or your child have suffered serious side effects of Paxil? If so, contact an injury lawyer from the law offices of O'Connor, Acciani and Levy today. We are experienced in defective drug litigation and will fight to get you justice.
2001 Study On Paxil Downplayed Suicide Risk To Teens
