–August 3, 2006
A Houston woman whose son was born with a heart defect has filed a Paxil lawsuit against the drug company and her doctor, claiming that the popular anti-depressant caused the birth defect.
Late last year, the Food and Drug Administration warned of the increased risk of birth defects when Paxil is taken during pregnancy. However, that warning came too late for Lisa Collins Steele, who took the dangerous drug during her pregnancy.
Steele claims that as a result, her son Chase was born with half a heart. At nine months old, he has already had open-heart surgery and made numerous trips to the emergency room. Doctors say his prognosis is uncertain.
“Most people shouldn’t have to go through this,” she said.
She believes that the defect “could have been prevented had her doctor warned her not to continue taking the anti-depressant drug Paxil.” Consequently, Steele is seeking unspecified damages, including medical expenses.
According to her attorney, Steele may also seek punitive damages against Glaxo Smith Klein, the maker of Paxil.
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