Prozac Side Effects
Have you or a loved one been prescribed the popular antidepressant Prozac? Have you experienced Prozac side effects? The experienced Prozac attorneys at Frank M Eidson can help. We can help you obtain fair compensation for your suffering.
Prozac (fluoxetine hydrochloride) is a prescription medication used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) bulimia nervosa, and panic disorder. Prozac is made by Eli Lilly and Company and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1987.
Since its release, studies have linked Prozac to several serious side effects. Although still available on the market, the FDA has issued three alerts warning of potential Prozac dangers. Prozac use may cause serotonin syndrome, persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborns (PPHN), and may incidence of depression and suicide.
If you or a loved one have experienced any dangerous symptoms or unusual medical conditions related to Prozac use, you should first contact your doctor or other healthcare professional. You may also wish to meet with an experienced Prozac lawyer to discuss your legal options.
To speak with our Prozac attorneys, contact us today. Schedule a free consultation.
Prozac Health Risks and Side Effects
Since October of 2004, the FDA has issued three separate alerts regarding possible Prozac side effects.
Serotonin Syndrome
In 2006, the FDA issued an alert stating that a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome can occur when medicines called Serotonin and Noreponeprine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs, such as Prozac) and migraine headache medicines known as 5-hydroxtryptamine receptor agonists (triptans), are taken together.
Serotonin syndrome may be more likely to occur when starting or increasing the dose of an SNRI or a triptan. If you take migraine medicines, ask your healthcare professional if your medicine is a triptan.
Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in Newborns
Also in 2006, an FDA alert announced the results of a study linking the use of antidepressant medicines like Prozac during pregnancy to babies born with a serious condition called persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN).
Babies born with PPHN have abnormal blood flow through the heart and lungs, and do not get enough oxygen to their bodies. Babies with PPHN can become very sick, even die. Results from the study also showed that babies born to mothers who took SSRIs 20 weeks or later into their pregnancies were six times more likely to develop PPHN than babies born to mothers who did not take antidepressants during pregnancy.
Increased Risk of Suicide
In October of 2004, the FDA issued a public health advisory directing all antidepressant drug manufacturers to revise their product labeling to include boxed warning and expanded warning statements that alert healthcare provides to an increased risk of suicidality. Since the alert, Prozac has carried a black box warning.
In 2005, the FDA announced that several scientific publications suggested the possibility of an increased risk for suicidal behavior in adults being treated with antidepressant medications, including Prozac. The FDA advised that all Prozac patients should be watched closely for worsening depression.
Other Prozac Side Effects
Other side effects associated with Prozac use include nausea, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, nervousness, and sleepiness.
Prozac Lawsuits
As a consumer and a patient, you have the right to trust your medication is safe. This though is not always the case. When a pharmaceutical company acts negligently, its actions can result in serious side effects. Victims however, may recoup damages with a successful product liability claim against the drug’s maker.
Well versed in the product liability laws that protect consumers, our Prozac lawyers have handled countless lawsuits involving harmful pharmaceuticals. If you’ve experienced Prozac side effects, contact us today and discuss your potential Prozac lawsuit with an experienced attorney.
+Frank Eidson