Tenn. Joinder Suit Involving 39 Plaintiffs Filed Against Maker of Paxil

NASHVILLE -Thirty-nine Tennessee residents who allegedly experienced withdrawal symptoms after reducing or terminating their use of Paxil have taken legal action against SmithKline Beecham, the maker of the popular antidepressant. Calvin Townsend, et al., v. SmithKline Beecham, Corp., No. 3:03-CV-444 (M.D. Tenn.).

According to a joinder suit filed on May 19, the drug company failed to include adequate warnings on the drug's labeling regarding its ability to induce dependency and its ability to cause withdrawal symptoms. In addition, SmithKline's promotion materials and advertisements for Paxil misrepresented the potential for these side effects.

The withdrawal symptoms described by the plaintiffs include …