88 Illinois Residents File Suit Against GSK for Paxil-Related Withdrawal Symptoms

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. - Eighty-eight Illinois residents who allegedly suffered withdrawal symptoms when they attempted to taper off or discontinue using Paxil have filed suit against GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), claiming that the manufacturer of the antidepressant failed to warn consumers and physicians of the drug's ability to cause these events associated with withdrawal. Carol Martin, et al., v. SmithKline Beecham, No. 03-CV-00563 (S.D. Ill.).

The Sept. 2 complaint also states that the drug company implemented an aggressive marketing campaign that encouraged sales representatives to downplay the drug's ability to cause withdrawal symptoms compared to other antidepressants in its class.

"Despite …