Paxil and litigation

DeputyDog · 03-01-2006, 08:49 PM

I am curious to see if in dealing with the legal aspect of withdrawls(sueing GSK), if GSK wouldn't try to blame the individuals for trying to quit the Paxil without going to the doctor?(cold turkey, ect.) I believe their argument would be that there is a specific way to come off the drug if you ask a doctor. Would they in fact blame the ones who can't afford a doctor visit? Has GSK said anything or put anything in print about withdrawls? and how to avoid? I believe you would have to follow the company's advice or a lawsuit would not work. Any thoughts?

Charlie · 03-01-2006, 08:58 PM

If you follow the company advice and the advice of MOST Dr's most people are in for a trip through Hell. Mentally, Emotionally, Physically! they claim it lasts only a few days or even a couple of weeks but that is an outright LIE. They much prefer to claim it doesn't exist at all but that has caved in on them.

scotty · 03-01-2006, 09:05 PM

Well GSK's recognition of withdrawal, or discontinuance as they call it, is that the wean should be 10mg decreasing doses on a weekly basis. Once at 20mg they say you can just stop. Remember this is information based on a 12 weeks usage in clinical trials(the longest clinical trial). GSK has consistently denied withdrawal, yet just settled a HUGE class action suit for adult withdrawal.. so you make the call.

Lawsuits are very tricky. Most of the current suits are for deaths from suicide. We are only starting to see lawsuits directly related to withdrawal. Rob Robinson(he's on this board and has www.paxilprotest.com) will probably be the first adult withdrawal case to see a courtroom.

Now with the suicidality warnings now out GSK is off the hook for anything that happens since the warnings went up regarding deaths. Not so with withdrawal.. until warnings go up for this, which they will.

We do recommend that you include your prescribing doctor in your decision to wean. This doesn't mean that you can't make your preferred method of weaning known to him. I can't imagine a doc having a problem with a slower wean!!!

ihatezaps · 03-01-2006, 09:35 PM

I wonder, though, because they do warn about "discontinuation syndrome", if that will let them off the hook. Only thing is, there are those of us who started taking it before that warning and if we had known what would happen, we wouldn't have taken it.

By the way, that weaning schedule they used is ridiculous. 10 mg a week and stop at 20 mg???? I also have to laugh at the part that says "at least 2% had these symptoms." That could be 3%, 10%, 70%. Just tell us what it was!!!

scotty · 03-01-2006, 09:47 PM

The denial is SO vast that there's no way to predict where this will all end up. Rob's trial is going to open a Pandora's box of information that the drug companies had and kept secret. Only then will the true measure of liability be known.

mach3939 · 03-01-2006, 11:22 PM

I am so glad that he is standing up to them for all of us! It is just awful what they have gotten away with!

Any word when it will go to trial?

Debbie

scotty · 03-01-2006, 11:31 PM

Rob's anticipating 2007.

mach3939 · 03-01-2006, 11:41 PM

Gee by 2007 I should be feeling better and would love to see the gatlinburg again! Can he pencil it in for summer? Who knows!

Debbie

scotty · 03-01-2006, 11:42 PM

I know that I will be there!!!!

hope · 03-01-2006, 11:48 PM

I really was hoping the class action would have gone to trial.

scotty · 03-01-2006, 11:49 PM

We know they don't want any of these to go to trial. Believe me, they don't want Rob's to go to trial!!!!

mach3939 · 03-01-2006, 11:52 PM

Rob refused to settle with the class action, so his case will be individual, as I understand it!

Debbie

scotty · 03-01-2006, 11:57 PM

punky · 03-02-2006, 01:43 AM

I personally don't think it should get them off any hooks. When i started this pill there was no such thing as "discontinuation syndrome." Only the fact that it was safe, nonhabitforming and helpful. So they lied and no matter how much "CYA" they try and play now, it won't fly. The facts are the facts and changing their labels now doesn't change the truth.

DeputyDog · 03-02-2006, 09:12 AM

I have also noticed that you don't see the commercials for Paxil anymore. That's strange since this drug is sooo safe! Looked to me like the commercial was all about "Social Anxiety Disorder" (what I gots), but didn't really say too much about the depression angle. I wonder if the commercials are found anywhere in archives or something. I don't recall seeing any "fine print" at the bottom that you usually can't read or read fast enough. Just curious if anyone has copies of the commercials?

rangerNY · 03-02-2006, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotty

GSK has consistently denied withdrawal, yet just settled a HUGE class action suit for adult withdrawal.. so you make the call.

That does speak volumes, but unless the settlement was for a half-billion or more (which we'll never know) it amounts to nothing more than a slap on the wrist for GSK. Paxil alone is worth BILLIONS to that company.

In my industry, the incumbent telephone companies (i.e Verizon) openly defy the FCC to roll over the competition (and the consumer) and simply view the millions they pay in fines as a cost of doing business. Sadly, this is probably the same for big pharma. Lawsuits and associated costs are nothing more than another expense to be accounted for when pricing medications. In the end we all pay for it anyway.

That being said, I would LOVE to take a swipe at GSK in court!

scotty · 03-02-2006, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by punky

I personally don't think it should get them off any hooks. When i started this pill there was no such thing as "discontinuation syndrome." Only the fact that it was safe, nonhabitforming and helpful. So they lied and no matter how much "CYA" they try and play now, it won't fly. The facts are the facts and changing their labels now doesn't change the truth.

They're off the hook with the children who are started on paxil after the black box warnings, not with withdrawal. The biggest problem is finding a lawyer who is willing to take them on. The cost of a lawsuit is HUGE when you're dealing with a company with unlimited funds.

rangerNY · 03-02-2006, 10:07 AM

Someone call Erin Brockovich, fast!

rangerNY · 03-02-2006, 10:10 AM

Wait a second. Looks like Masry Vititoe (Erin Brockovich's firm) is involved pretty heavily in pharma litigation!

http://www.masryvititoe.com/pharmaceutical.shtml

If enough of us submit requests for them to evaluate Paxil withdrawal, you never know what could happen.

http://www.masryvititoe.com/eval.php...pharmaceutical

DeputyDog · 03-02-2006, 10:22 AM

I still think it's going to come down to "injury", like death or disfigurement. If I die, my family would have to take up the fight. Does our families know what we went through if we can't speak for ourselves?

Healing · 03-02-2006, 11:08 AM

I have a question. If I sue GSK and they offer me a settlement in exchange for me signing a gag agreement, are they asking me to 1) never speak about the lawsuit again or 2) never speak about Paxil withdrawal again?

sherijo · 03-02-2006, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rangerNY

Wait a second. Looks like Masry Vititoe (Erin Brockovich's firm) is involved pretty heavily in pharma litigation!

http://www.masryvititoe.com/pharmaceutical.shtml

If enough of us submit requests for them to evaluate Paxil withdrawal, you never know what could happen.

http://www.masryvititoe.com/eval.php...pharmaceutical

We should really try and take some kind of poll and see who would join in.. I know I would.. an email can't hurt!
sheri

scotty · 03-02-2006, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Healing

I have a question. If I sue GSK and they offer me a settlement in exchange for me signing a gag agreement, are they asking me to 1) never speak about the lawsuit again or 2) never speak about Paxil withdrawal again?

There have been both types of gag orders.

rdjanis · 03-02-2006, 12:03 PM

gee, wonder why that is lol..... GSK does NOT like loud voices!!

DeputyDog · 03-02-2006, 01:07 PM

I tend to agree. As far as the gag order itself, it would probably be stipulated by the judge. I would think gag order would refer to the amount settled on or talking about the case itself, I could be wrong...it's known to happen!

03-01-2006, 08:49 PM	#1
DeputyDog Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: South Carolina Posts: 25	Paxil and litigation I am curious to see if in dealing with the legal aspect of withdrawls(sueing GSK), if GSK wouldn't try to blame the individuals for trying to quit the Paxil without going to the doctor?(cold turkey, ect.) I believe their argument would be that there is a specific way to come off the drug if you ask a doctor. Would they in fact blame the ones who can't afford a doctor visit? Has GSK said anything or put anything in print about withdrawls? and how to avoid? I believe you would have to follow the company's advice or a lawsuit would not work. Any thoughts? __________________ Three can keep a secret if two are dead.

03-01-2006, 08:58 PM	#2
Charlie Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 7,562	Re: Paxil and litigation If you follow the company advice and the advice of MOST Dr's most people are in for a trip through Hell. Mentally, Emotionally, Physically! they claim it lasts only a few days or even a couple of weeks but that is an outright LIE. They much prefer to claim it doesn't exist at all but that has caved in on them. __________________ The truth is the truth even if no one believes it, and a lie is a lie even if everyone believes it." Knowledge speaks ....... Wisdom listens Charlie www.ThePaxilProtest.com

03-01-2006, 09:05 PM	#3
scotty Administrator & Advocate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 38,590	Re: Paxil and litigation Well GSK's recognition of withdrawal, or discontinuance as they call it, is that the wean should be 10mg decreasing doses on a weekly basis. Once at 20mg they say you can just stop. Remember this is information based on a 12 weeks usage in clinical trials(the longest clinical trial). GSK has consistently denied withdrawal, yet just settled a HUGE class action suit for adult withdrawal.. so you make the call. Lawsuits are very tricky. Most of the current suits are for deaths from suicide. We are only starting to see lawsuits directly related to withdrawal. Rob Robinson(he's on this board and has www.paxilprotest.com) will probably be the first adult withdrawal case to see a courtroom. Now with the suicidality warnings now out GSK is off the hook for anything that happens since the warnings went up regarding deaths. Not so with withdrawal.. until warnings go up for this, which they will. We do recommend that you include your prescribing doctor in your decision to wean. This doesn't mean that you can't make your preferred method of weaning known to him. I can't imagine a doc having a problem with a slower wean!!! __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

03-01-2006, 09:35 PM	#4
ihatezaps Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 819	Re: Paxil and litigation I wonder, though, because they do warn about "discontinuation syndrome", if that will let them off the hook. Only thing is, there are those of us who started taking it before that warning and if we had known what would happen, we wouldn't have taken it. By the way, that weaning schedule they used is ridiculous. 10 mg a week and stop at 20 mg???? I also have to laugh at the part that says "at least 2% had these symptoms." That could be 3%, 10%, 70%. Just tell us what it was!!! __________________ -Katie Approximately 8 years Paxil 20 mg. Side effects: weight gain, personality changes, no motivation, memory loss, stomach problems, dizziness, headaches, excessive sleeping and eating, vivid dreams. Did a very slow taper, dropping 1/2 mg at a time using liquid Paxil. Paxil free as of 1/13/2007

03-01-2006, 09:47 PM	#5
scotty Administrator & Advocate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 38,590	Re: Paxil and litigation The denial is SO vast that there's no way to predict where this will all end up. Rob's trial is going to open a Pandora's box of information that the drug companies had and kept secret. Only then will the true measure of liability be known. __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

03-01-2006, 11:22 PM	#6
mach3939 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Romulus, Michigan Posts: 1,089	Re: Paxil and litigation I am so glad that he is standing up to them for all of us! It is just awful what they have gotten away with! Any word when it will go to trial? Debbie __________________ Antidepressants since 1997 Zoloft, Serzone, Paxil for 7 years, Effexor for 9 months of that Welburtin & Lexapro mixed in too. Paxil 30mgs July 8 till Aug 6th, 15mgs Aug 7 till Sept 14, 10mgs sept 15 till Nov 14, 5mgs (Oct sinus infection 10 days antibiotics), Nov 15 thru Now, 2.5mgs (Dec sinsus infection 20 days antibiotics) Last Paxil 1/10/06 (Feb Bronchitis & URI 7 days antibiotics and Inhalers) (March Severe Sinus infection 5 weeks antibiotics & diflucan)

03-01-2006, 11:31 PM	#7
scotty Administrator & Advocate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 38,590	Re: Paxil and litigation Rob's anticipating 2007. __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

03-01-2006, 11:41 PM	#8
mach3939 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Romulus, Michigan Posts: 1,089	Re: Paxil and litigation Gee by 2007 I should be feeling better and would love to see the gatlinburg again! Can he pencil it in for summer? Who knows! Debbie __________________ Antidepressants since 1997 Zoloft, Serzone, Paxil for 7 years, Effexor for 9 months of that Welburtin & Lexapro mixed in too. Paxil 30mgs July 8 till Aug 6th, 15mgs Aug 7 till Sept 14, 10mgs sept 15 till Nov 14, 5mgs (Oct sinus infection 10 days antibiotics), Nov 15 thru Now, 2.5mgs (Dec sinsus infection 20 days antibiotics) Last Paxil 1/10/06 (Feb Bronchitis & URI 7 days antibiotics and Inhalers) (March Severe Sinus infection 5 weeks antibiotics & diflucan)

03-01-2006, 11:42 PM	#9
scotty Administrator & Advocate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 38,590	Re: Paxil and litigation I know that I will be there!!!! __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

03-01-2006, 11:48 PM	#10
hope Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 3,185	Re: Paxil and litigation I really was hoping the class action would have gone to trial. __________________ Hope. "I never cared much for flim flam doctors." (Doctor Baker, Little House on the Prairie). Put on Paxil in 1996 for Post-partum depression. After 5th withdrawal attempt, went into severe debilitating withdrawal, restarted Paxil in the ER which didn't work anymore. Taken off again quickly by a shrink, started on Lexapro. Body rejected all drugs except benzos. Currently off all drugs. Not quite 100% yet, but working towards getting there.

03-01-2006, 11:49 PM	#11
scotty Administrator & Advocate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 38,590	Re: Paxil and litigation We know they don't want any of these to go to trial. Believe me, they don't want Rob's to go to trial!!!! __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

03-01-2006, 11:52 PM	#12
mach3939 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Romulus, Michigan Posts: 1,089	Re: Paxil and litigation Rob refused to settle with the class action, so his case will be individual, as I understand it! Debbie __________________ Antidepressants since 1997 Zoloft, Serzone, Paxil for 7 years, Effexor for 9 months of that Welburtin & Lexapro mixed in too. Paxil 30mgs July 8 till Aug 6th, 15mgs Aug 7 till Sept 14, 10mgs sept 15 till Nov 14, 5mgs (Oct sinus infection 10 days antibiotics), Nov 15 thru Now, 2.5mgs (Dec sinsus infection 20 days antibiotics) Last Paxil 1/10/06 (Feb Bronchitis & URI 7 days antibiotics and Inhalers) (March Severe Sinus infection 5 weeks antibiotics & diflucan)

03-01-2006, 11:57 PM	#13
scotty Administrator & Advocate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 38,590	Re: Paxil and litigation Yup! __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

03-02-2006, 01:43 AM	#14
punky Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 834	Re: Paxil and litigation I personally don't think it should get them off any hooks. When i started this pill there was no such thing as "discontinuation syndrome." Only the fact that it was safe, nonhabitforming and helpful. So they lied and no matter how much "CYA" they try and play now, it won't fly. The facts are the facts and changing their labels now doesn't change the truth. __________________ 7/00-1/1/06 Paxil 20-40mg 1/2-2/18 Paxil CR 25mg 2/19-5/3 Paxil CR 12.5mg 5/4-5/9 Paxil CR 25mg 5/10-5/15 Paxil CR 12.5mg 5/16-6/10 Paxil CR 10mg 6/11-7/13 Paxil CR 6.25mg 7/13-7/31 Paxil CR 3mg 8/1-9/5 Paxil CR 6.25mg 9/6 to 9/11 Paxil 10mg/5ml Suspension 5mg (2.5ml) 9/12 to present Paxil 10mg/5ml Suspension 7mg (3.5ml)

03-02-2006, 09:12 AM	#15
DeputyDog Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: South Carolina Posts: 25	Re: Paxil and litigation I have also noticed that you don't see the commercials for Paxil anymore. That's strange since this drug is sooo safe! Looked to me like the commercial was all about "Social Anxiety Disorder" (what I gots), but didn't really say too much about the depression angle. I wonder if the commercials are found anywhere in archives or something. I don't recall seeing any "fine print" at the bottom that you usually can't read or read fast enough. Just curious if anyone has copies of the commercials? __________________ Three can keep a secret if two are dead.

03-02-2006, 10:07 AM	#18
rangerNY Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 658	Re: Paxil and litigation Someone call Erin Brockovich, fast! __________________ - Drew Paxil free since September 2005. "I enjoy throwing food. Especially after a cocktail or two." - Babs

03-02-2006, 10:10 AM	#19
rangerNY Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 658	Re: Paxil and litigation Wait a second. Looks like Masry Vititoe (Erin Brockovich's firm) is involved pretty heavily in pharma litigation! http://www.masryvititoe.com/pharmaceutical.shtml If enough of us submit requests for them to evaluate Paxil withdrawal, you never know what could happen. http://www.masryvititoe.com/eval.php...pharmaceutical __________________ - Drew Paxil free since September 2005. "I enjoy throwing food. Especially after a cocktail or two." - Babs

03-02-2006, 10:22 AM	#20
DeputyDog Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: South Carolina Posts: 25	Re: Paxil and litigation I still think it's going to come down to "injury", like death or disfigurement. If I die, my family would have to take up the fight. Does our families know what we went through if we can't speak for ourselves? __________________ Three can keep a secret if two are dead.

03-02-2006, 11:08 AM	#21
Healing Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 736	Re: Paxil and litigation I have a question. If I sue GSK and they offer me a settlement in exchange for me signing a gag agreement, are they asking me to 1) never speak about the lawsuit again or 2) never speak about Paxil withdrawal again? __________________ 1996-97 - Paxil x 9 months, tapered, suffered 8 months withdrawal but didn't know it was withdrawal, so... 1998-2001 - Zoloft, tapered, again unwittingly went into withdrawal, so... 2002-03 - Paxil x 20 months, developed severe headaches, so... Sep 03 - May 05 - Paxil wean took 20 months, severe physical, moderate psychological symptoms Sep 03 - Jun 05 - took Prozac to help with Paxil wean - not recommended Jul 05 to date - post-taper, severe psychological, moderate physical symptoms

03-02-2006, 12:03 PM	#24
rdjanis "has a lavender scented keyboard" Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ontario Posts: 22,238	Re: Paxil and litigation gee, wonder why that is lol..... GSK does NOT like loud voices!! __________________ Rita

03-02-2006, 01:07 PM	#25
DeputyDog Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: South Carolina Posts: 25	Re: Paxil and litigation I tend to agree. As far as the gag order itself, it would probably be stipulated by the judge. I would think gag order would refer to the amount settled on or talking about the case itself, I could be wrong...it's known to happen! __________________ Three can keep a secret if two are dead.

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