Paxil is an antidepressant drug that began in 1992 by, now, GlaxoSmithKline.  It is used to treat major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder and Posttraumatic stress disorder in adults.  However, many side effects include, but are not limited to, birth defects, suicidality and withdrawal.  While GSK claims that this drug is “not habit forming,” numerous experts and one court found this to be false.  Even the World Health Organization found it to be the most difficult antidepressant to withdraw from.

Several lawsuits have been filed to recover damages for people who committed suicide while taking the drug.  For example, one was filed in 2005 in California by the grandparents of a 20-year-old man whose symptoms only worsened after taking the drug, until he ultimately committed suicide.  This case claimed that GSK failed to warn about the dangers of increased suicidal thoughts and behaviors.  Additionally, Paxil has settled several lawsuits, but always prohibit plaintiffs from revealing their story after.  This lack of information is detrimental to potential users and current users of the drug.