Parker Waichman LLP

Settlement Proposed in Paxil Class Action Lawsuit

A settlement has been proposed in the so-called Paxil “split pill” class action lawsuit. According to a press release, if approved, the settlement will provide up to $28 million to claimants and their insurance companies. Paxil is part of a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Paxil was approved to treat symptoms […]

A settlement has been proposed in the so-called <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/paxil_birth_defects">Paxil “split pill” class action lawsuit. According to a press release, if approved, the settlement will provide up to $28 million to claimants and their insurance companies.

Paxil is part of a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Paxil was approved to treat symptoms of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social phobia/social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Paxil was the first antidepressant formally approved in the US for the treatment of social anxiety disorder.

The drug has been linked to a variety of problems, including birth defects, as well as suicide and suicidal tendencies when taken by young people and children. Yet in spite of these risks, by 2006 Paxil was the fifth most-commonly prescribed antidepressant in the US, with more than 19.7 million prescriptions.

The Paxil “spit pill” class action lawsuit alleges that Paxil “controlled release” (CR) tablets made between April 1, 2002 and March 4, 2005, contained a manufacturing defect that caused them to split apart. According to the complaint, Paxil CR tablets are intended to deliver the active ingredient over a period of time, and not all at once. When one splits apart, the outside coat breaks up and the drug is released while the tablets are still in the stomach. Patients end up with all of the active ingredient, without the benefits of the controlled-release, and received the entire dose at once. Or they get only the controlled-release ingredient without the active ingredients, the complaint says.

In March 2005, armed marshals with the Food and Drug Administration The Sandlot release (FDA) raided GlaxoSmithKline plants in Puerto Rico and Tennessee after learning that some pills manufactured there had split apart. The FDA had originally discovered the problem at the Puerto Rico plant in February 2002, and the problem continued despite repeated warnings and inspections, the complaint charges.

If approved, the $28 million settlement will be split between consumers who paid for their Paxil and insurance companies seeking to be reimbursed for their expenditures. The amount each class member recovers will depend on how many defective pills they bought, with a maximum recovery of $150 per person. A final approval hearing will be held on July 10, 2009.

Under the settlement, GlaxoSmithKline denies liability and all of the claims in the lawsuit.

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
Positive: Professionalism , Responsiveness B Rollis was very kind, helpful and quickly returned calls regarding any questions I had.
Willie Matos
3 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Very good firm specially if you get helped by Frank Domado !!!
P “Ghost” O
a year ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Positive: Professionalism PW did a great job representing me. Very professional always available. Benita Rollis did a great job, answering all my questions and returning all my calls. She did an amazing job. thank you
Anthony Lopez
2 years ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038