Posted by Larry Hoover on April 10, 2003, at 12:42:13
In reply to Paxil withdrawal article and lawsuit, posted by Dysfunk on April 10, 2003, at 12:24:15
> In the April 2003 issue of Glamour magazine is a story of a woman who struggled with withdrawals from Paxil. She is holding the drug company responsible for not making the information known.
I've got a real problem with this sort of lawsuit.
Did someone hold a gun to her head, forcing her to take the meds against her will? Or was she seeking treatment for a condition that was sufficiently disruptive in her life that she was motivated to seek intervention?
Clinical trials of medication, psychoactive meds included, do not include monitoring of withdrawal. Adverse events associated with withdrawal have been observed with e.g. Paxil, and warnings to that effect are beginning to appear on the information leaflet supplied to patients. Strategies to minimize these adverse events are as well known as the withdrawal symptoms themselves. The quality of medical supervision may be questionable in such a case, but how does this become the drug company's liability? I mean, other than that they are perceived to be be wealthy?
It wouldn't play well in the court of public opinion, but maybe the drug company should counter-sue, alleging the patient failed to take responsibility for her own care. Caveat emptor.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:218186
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030407/msgs/218203.html