Lawsuit Claims Anti-Depressant Company Suppressed Drug's Addictive Nature

Saturday, August 25, 2001 Email this Article

LOS ANGELES — A lawsuit contends the manufacturer of the popular anti-depressant Paxil concealed evidence that the drug can be addictive.

The lawsuit was filed Friday on behalf of 35 people from around the country who say they suffered symptoms ranging from electric-like shocks to suicidal thoughts after discontinuing use of the drug.

The lawsuit, which seeks class-action status and unspecified damages, says GlaxoSmithkline PLC concealed the possibility of physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms from the drug. It alleges fraud, deceit, negligence, liability, and breach of warranty.

There was no immediate comment from the British-based company. Calls to its U.S. offices after business hours Friday were not returned.

Introduced on the U.S. market in 1992, Paxil is the country's second-largest selling anti-depressant.

Paul Domb, 42, of Miami, said that after he stopped taking Paxil last year, he suffered from convulsions, night sweats, and suicidal thoughts for about six weeks.

He said he thought the problems had to do with recent heart surgery, but after researching his symptoms he concluded they were caused by his withdrawal from Paxil.

"I stopped taking this drug ... and it destroyed me. It almost killed me," he said.

In June, a Wyoming jury awarded $8 million in damages to the family of a man after determining that Paxil caused him to kill his wife, daughter and granddaughter before committing suicide.