Fw: Paxil Users Claim Maker Hid Drug's Addictive Nature

[Guest guest]

Sent: Saturday, September 01, 2001 2:49 PM

Subject: Paxil Users Claim Maker Hid Drug's Addictive Nature

> Kathi Leahy wrote:

>

> There is alot of mounting evidence against SSRI's, Zoloft and Prozac

> being being the worse until this but it may explain why so many implant

> effected people are suffering the electrical surges they have and a few

> other things.......

>

> http://www.classactionamerica.com/cases/case.asp?cid=1044

> Paxil Antidepressant Users

> Plaintiff

> v

> GlaxoKline Plc

> Defendant

>

>

>

> Drugs / Medical No amount specified. 8/24/2001 Filing

>

> Paxil Users Claim Maker Hid Drug's Addictive Nature

>

> A class action has been filed against GlaxoKline Plc, the British

> pharmaceutical giant that makes the antidepressant Paxil (paroxetine), on

> behalf of all people in the United States who were prescribed Paxil and

who

> later suffered withdrawal reactions when they attempted to stop taking the

> drug. The action claims that GlaxoKline knew that some patients

> prescribed Paxil would suffer severe withdrawal reactions but failed to

> warn patients or physicians of this danger. The action asserts claims for

> fraud and deceit, negligence, strict liability, and breach of warranty.

> Both compensatory and punitive damages are sought.

>

> Withdrawal reactions suffered by patients attempting to discontinue Paxil

> include jolting electric " zaps, " dizziness, light-headedness, vertigo,

lack

> of coordination, gait disturbances, sweating, extreme nausea, vomiting,

> high fever, abdominal discomfort, flu symptoms, anorexia, diarrhea,

> agitation, tremulousness, irritability, aggression, sleep disturbance,

> nightmares, tremor, confusion, memory and concentration difficulties,

> lethargy, malaise, weakness, fatigue, paraesthesias, ataxia, and myalgia.

>

> Paxil, which was introduced into the U.S. market on December 29, 1992, is

a

> well known antidepressant medication in the same class as Zoloft and

Prozac

> (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs). Paxil is approved for

> marketing in the U.S. for conditions such as depression, obsessive

> compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder.

>

> According to the plaintiffs, GlaxoKline has known for years that the

> distinct characteristics of Paxil make it prone to cause withdrawal

> reactions when discontinued. According to World Health Organization data

> obtained by the class members, Paxil has the highest rate of adverse

> experiences during withdrawal of any antidepressant drug in the world.

>

> Paxil has also been alleged to cause suicidal or homicidal reactions in a

> few patients, although this claim is not part of the present class action.

> In July, 2001, a federal jury in Cheyenne, Wyoming ordered GlaxoKline

> to pay $6.4 million to relatives of Schell, age 60, who had been

> taking Paxil for just 48 hours when he experienced hallucinations and shot

> and killed his wife, his daughter, his granddaughter and then himself. In

> that case, the relatives found internal GlaxoKline documents showing

> the company was aware that a small number of people could become agitated

> or violent from Paxil. Despite this knowledge, Paxil packaging does not

> include a warning about suicide, violence or aggression.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Once again, I have to get my two cents in here.

First of all, all antidepressants come with packaging

that says that they can cause suicidal thoughts and/or

tendencies. I have tried every antidepressant out there

except for the MAOI's, and I have the packaging for each

and every drug I tried. However, you must ask for this

packaging at the pharmacy. And when I first started

therapy, and it was suggested to me to try

antidepressant therapy, the first thing my psychiatrist

told me was that because these are psychotropic drugs

and mess around with chemicals in the brain, no one can

predict how any one person will react. So, basically

with antidepressant therapy, it is hit or miss, similar

to high BP meds--you have to try some out before you

find the right one.

At any rate, I was tried on Paxil initially, and it made

me a walking zombie. Then I was switched to Prozac, and

that made me crazy. I was verbally abusive to those

around me, I was emotional, one minute crying, the next

yelling and angry, and finally my boyfriend at the time

told me I had to come off it. Yet I have friends who

take Paxil, and it works well for them, and I've taken

care of many pts for whom it works well for.

Currently, I take Effexor XR, which is the only

medication that keeps me from killing myself. Yet other

people who have tried it say that it makes them jittery,

unable to sit still, and just plain " crazy. " So I guess

what I'm trying to say, is that these types of drugs

affect us all differently.

I would really like to see the WHO report on Paxil being

the most difficult drug to come off of. It can't be any

worse than Effexor, as I've tried to come of it several

times and I went through major withdrawal. I

experienced chills, dizziness/vertigo, shakes, nausea,

fatigue, hypotension, shock like sensations, and of

course suicidal thoughts and even attempts. Some mild

withdrawal symptoms had been reported, but my first time

trying to come off it it took almost 4 wks to withdraw.

I thought I was in hell. And the 3 or 4 times that I've

tried to come off it since, the same thing has happened,

but I've been prepared, and done a very slow taper.

My point is, is that I find it ridiculous that people

will blame withdrawal symptoms on the company " not

making public " this potential. And like I said on the

insert, it does state that a gradual taper is

recommended and that Paxil can cause suicidal

thoughts/ideation. Paxil has a very good track history

and has been used successfully for almost 10 yrs now.

It didn't work for me and I will never go on it again,

but that's just me. Also, my depression is more

norepinephrine sensitive than serotonin, and that is the

other thing these individuals need to look at. Maybe

they didn't have a serotonin type depression. Too much

serotonin can cause people to be violent and aggressive,

and do just the opposite of what you want it to do. So,

it is quite possible that some of these people needed a

drug like Effexor or Wellbutrin instead of a SSRI

I have a very good friend that works for GlaxoKline

and I will be speaking to him this wk. I will ask him

what his thoughts are on this whole issue and let you

all know.

e

[Guest guest]

e I too have to throw in my two cents here, I have also heard

it be said that Paxil is one of the hardest anti depressants to come

off of, I think it was on one of those news shows, nightline or

dateline, so that is all I know, I can tell you that I do believe

anti dep are over prescribed these days no doubt, esp to people with

illnesses who cannot be diagnosed, they put me on several and all

they did was make me feel even worse, I will probably never ever try

another, I tried celexa, eye twitching, nervousness, dizzy, serzone,

zomby like, wellbutrin, crazy absolutely insane even hallucinated on

that one, so I think that some people can take them but some of us

just cannot tolerate these meds no way. Just my 2 cents, not worth

much LOL.

In @y..., eRene@a... wrote:

> Once again, I have to get my two cents in here.

>

> First of all, all antidepressants come with packaging

> that says that they can cause suicidal thoughts and/or

> tendencies. I have tried every antidepressant out there

> except for the MAOI's, and I have the packaging for each

> and every drug I tried. However, you must ask for this

> packaging at the pharmacy. And when I first started

> therapy, and it was suggested to me to try

> antidepressant therapy, the first thing my psychiatrist

> told me was that because these are psychotropic drugs

> and mess around with chemicals in the brain, no one can

> predict how any one person will react. So, basically

> with antidepressant therapy, it is hit or miss, similar

> to high BP meds--you have to try some out before you

> find the right one.

>

> At any rate, I was tried on Paxil initially, and it made

> me a walking zombie. Then I was switched to Prozac, and

> that made me crazy. I was verbally abusive to those

> around me, I was emotional, one minute crying, the next

> yelling and angry, and finally my boyfriend at the time

> told me I had to come off it. Yet I have friends who

> take Paxil, and it works well for them, and I've taken

> care of many pts for whom it works well for.

>

> Currently, I take Effexor XR, which is the only

> medication that keeps me from killing myself. Yet other

> people who have tried it say that it makes them jittery,

> unable to sit still, and just plain " crazy. " So I guess

> what I'm trying to say, is that these types of drugs

> affect us all differently.

>

> I would really like to see the WHO report on Paxil being

> the most difficult drug to come off of. It can't be any

> worse than Effexor, as I've tried to come of it several

> times and I went through major withdrawal. I

> experienced chills, dizziness/vertigo, shakes, nausea,

> fatigue, hypotension, shock like sensations, and of

> course suicidal thoughts and even attempts. Some mild

> withdrawal symptoms had been reported, but my first time

> trying to come off it it took almost 4 wks to withdraw.

> I thought I was in hell. And the 3 or 4 times that I've

> tried to come off it since, the same thing has happened,

> but I've been prepared, and done a very slow taper.

>

> My point is, is that I find it ridiculous that people

> will blame withdrawal symptoms on the company " not

> making public " this potential. And like I said on the

> insert, it does state that a gradual taper is

> recommended and that Paxil can cause suicidal

> thoughts/ideation. Paxil has a very good track history

> and has been used successfully for almost 10 yrs now.

> It didn't work for me and I will never go on it again,

> but that's just me. Also, my depression is more

> norepinephrine sensitive than serotonin, and that is the

> other thing these individuals need to look at. Maybe

> they didn't have a serotonin type depression. Too much

> serotonin can cause people to be violent and aggressive,

> and do just the opposite of what you want it to do. So,

> it is quite possible that some of these people needed a

> drug like Effexor or Wellbutrin instead of a SSRI

>

> I have a very good friend that works for GlaxoKline

> and I will be speaking to him this wk. I will ask him

> what his thoughts are on this whole issue and let you

> all know.

>

> e

[Guest guest]

,

Don't put yourself down and say your opinion isn't worth

much. When it comes to psychotropic meds, many people

are very passionate about their stance on these meds. I

definately think that antidepressants are

overprescribed, and I think that many physicians don't

want to get to the root of the problem, and instead rx

an antidepressant for a quick fix. It is wrong.

Antidepressants should be rx'd by psychiatrists only who

have actually sat down with the pt and reviewed and

discussed the pt's history. Only then should they

decide whether the pt is a candidate for an

antidepressant. Some people simply need someone to

validate what they're feeling, or to discuss their

feelings with someone who is neutral, and don't need

meds. However, there are those who are chronically

depressed and no amt of psychotherapy alone will help

them to feel better. That is why I strongly feel that a

trained psychiatrist should be evaluating all pts who

are complaining of depression. Internal med and family

practice docs are not properly trained, and simply don't

have the time to listen to a pt, so they will be quick

to write a script.

Treatment with any type of psychotropic drug involves

risks, as does being put on any rx medication. But it

is the responsibility of the prescribing doctor to

review with the pt potential side effects before

dispensing any rx. However, it is also the

responsibility of the pt to ask questions about their

treatment and take a proactive role in their care and

treatment.

I had a similar experience as yours on serzone. I took

serzone and was like a zombie. I had no energy and felt

like I was in a fog. Needless to say, I came off that

after about 4 wks. But Effexor XR has worked very well

for me and without it, I know that I would have offed

myself a long time ago. So I am a firm believer in

success with antidepressants as long as they are closely

and expertly monitored and the pt is well informed and

able to make an informed decision.

e

> e I too have to throw in my two cents here, I have also heard

> it be said that Paxil is one of the hardest anti depressants to come

> off of, I think it was on one of those news shows, nightline or

> dateline, so that is all I know, I can tell you that I do believe

> anti dep are over prescribed these days no doubt, esp to people with

> illnesses who cannot be diagnosed, they put me on several and all

> they did was make me feel even worse, I will probably never ever try

> another, I tried celexa, eye twitching, nervousness, dizzy, serzone,

> zomby like, wellbutrin, crazy absolutely insane even hallucinated on

> that one, so I think that some people can take them but some of us

> just cannot tolerate these meds no way. Just my 2 cents, not worth

> much LOL.

>

>

>

>

>

>

> In @y..., eRene@a... wrote:

> > Once again, I have to get my two cents in here.

> >

> > First of all, all antidepressants come with packaging

> > that says that they can cause suicidal thoughts and/or

> > tendencies. I have tried every antidepressant out there

> > except for the MAOI's, and I have the packaging for each

> > and every drug I tried. However, you must ask for this

> > packaging at the pharmacy. And when I first started

> > therapy, and it was suggested to me to try

> > antidepressant therapy, the first thing my psychiatrist

> > told me was that because these are psychotropic drugs

> > and mess around with chemicals in the brain, no one can

> > predict how any one person will react. So, basically

> > with antidepressant therapy, it is hit or miss, similar

> > to high BP meds--you have to try some out before you

> > find the right one.

> >

> > At any rate, I was tried on Paxil initially, and it made

> > me a walking zombie. Then I was switched to Prozac, and

> > that made me crazy. I was verbally abusive to those

> > around me, I was emotional, one minute crying, the next

> > yelling and angry, and finally my boyfriend at the time

> > told me I had to come off it. Yet I have friends who

> > take Paxil, and it works well for them, and I've taken

> > care of many pts for whom it works well for.

> >

> > Currently, I take Effexor XR, which is the only

> > medication that keeps me from killing myself. Yet other

> > people who have tried it say that it makes them jittery,

> > unable to sit still, and just plain " crazy. " So I guess

> > what I'm trying to say, is that these types of drugs

> > affect us all differently.

> >

> > I would really like to see the WHO report on Paxil being

> > the most difficult drug to come off of. It can't be any

> > worse than Effexor, as I've tried to come of it several

> > times and I went through major withdrawal. I

> > experienced chills, dizziness/vertigo, shakes, nausea,

> > fatigue, hypotension, shock like sensations, and of

> > course suicidal thoughts and even attempts. Some mild

> > withdrawal symptoms had been reported, but my first time

> > trying to come off it it took almost 4 wks to withdraw.

> > I thought I was in hell. And the 3 or 4 times that I've

> > tried to come off it since, the same thing has happened,

> > but I've been prepared, and done a very slow taper.

> >

> > My point is, is that I find it ridiculous that people

> > will blame withdrawal symptoms on the company " not

> > making public " this potential. And like I said on the

> > insert, it does state that a gradual taper is

> > recommended and that Paxil can cause suicidal

> > thoughts/ideation. Paxil has a very good track history

> > and has been used successfully for almost 10 yrs now.

> > It didn't work for me and I will never go on it again,

> > but that's just me. Also, my depression is more

> > norepinephrine sensitive than serotonin, and that is the

> > other thing these individuals need to look at. Maybe

> > they didn't have a serotonin type depression. Too much

> > serotonin can cause people to be violent and aggressive,

> > and do just the opposite of what you want it to do. So,

> > it is quite possible that some of these people needed a

> > drug like Effexor or Wellbutrin instead of a SSRI

> >

> > I have a very good friend that works for GlaxoKline

> > and I will be speaking to him this wk. I will ask him

> > what his thoughts are on this whole issue and let you

> > all know.

> >

> > e

>

>

>

>