Widow Claims Prozac Maker Failed to Pursue Safer Alternatives and Conduct Adequate Testing

MEMPHIS, Tenn.- The widow and children of a man who committed suicide approximately 13 days after receiving a prescription for Prozac has filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging the antidepressant caused him to take his own life. Cole, et al., v. Eli Lilly & Co., No. 02-2484 (W.D. Tenn.).

The June 19 complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee claims the manufacturers of Prozac knew the antidepressant could lead to increased risk of suicide and should have designed a safer chemical alternative.

Milton R. Cole received the prescription for the antidepressant from his …