Paxil is GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK) brand name for the generic drug called paroxetine. It is one of the many SSRI types of prescription drugs that are used to treat depression and anxiety. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made an announcement about Paxil in December of 2005. This announcement stated that Paxil could raise the chances of birth defects and other problems for newborns if the drug is taken by women who are pregnant. The results of two different studies indicated that when Paxil was taken during the first trimester of pregnancy, the chances were 1-1/2 to two times higher that their baby would have heart problems than babies born to women who did not take Paxil or who took some other brand of anti-depressant while they were pregnant.

Paxil was connected to Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in Newborn (PPHN) in a study published by the New England Journal of Medicine. It was discovered that for women who took the Paxil after the 20th week of their pregnancy, it was much more likely that their babies would have PPHN than those who did not take Paxil. PPHN can result in brain damage, developmental issues, and sometimes death. There are other conditions that the use of Paxil by pregnant women can cause, including heart defects and lung problems.

In 2009, the first lawsuit against GlaxoSmithKline was successfully completed. A woman in Pennsylvania was awarded $2.5 million by a jury who believed that Paxil was responsible for the heart defects discovered after her baby was born. By July of 2010, GSK had promised to pay out around $1 billion for over 800 different lawsuits that have the same type of evidence.

If you think your baby has suffered because you took the drug Paxil during your pregnancy, seek counsel with a personal injury attorney. It does not matter where your place of residence is; you can still be a part of a claim against GSK. If you have suffered due to GSK's negligence, it is your right to be compensated for any income that has been lost or will be lost in the future, for medical bills, and for pain and suffering.