Successful Merck Lawsuits Have Shown Others That Legal Action Can Be Taken Against Drug Companies

If you know one of the thousands of people that have filed Merck lawsuits, then you certainly know that it be a trying time for those going through such an ordeal. The fact that this process can sometimes be difficult is something that those trying to discourage victims from filing a prescription drug lawsuit use as a reason not to go through with such litigation. But if you know someone who filed a Merck lawsuit and was successful, then you also know that there are definite positives to go after the pharmaceutical companies when they've been negligent.

This was the case with Merck and their arthritis medicine Vioxx. People who took Vioxx had hoped it would provide the kind of reliable treatment for their arthritis that they'd been searching for. However, once on the market for some time, studies revealed that Vioxx patients were increasing their risk of having heart attacks, strokes and other health problems. Clearly those suffering from arthritis did not feel that these risks were worth the potential benefits Vioxx could provide, especially when considering there are other products available on the market that can offer relief from arthritis symptoms.

Eventually, facing public pressure about potential Vioxx side effects, the medication was taken off the shelves. We're now seeing something similar occur with antidepressant medication Paxil. People have been taking Paxil for several years to treat their depression symptoms and many Paxil patients will state that they've noticed significant improvements in their condition. But studies revealed after the release of Paxil that there were Paxil side effects that were not made aware to those taking the medication. The most concerning Paxil side effects are related to women who take the drug while pregnant.

Studies show that taking Paxil during the first trimester of a pregnancy dramatically increases the risk of giving birth to a heart defect baby or from the newborn having a litany of other health problems. These women were not given proper warnings regarding the risks of Paxil and would have opted for another medication during their pregnancy if they had. Encouraged by the success people have had with Merck lawsuits, former Paxil patients are speaking with lawyers in order to file Paxil lawsuits of their own. GlaxoSmithKline, the company who makes Paxil, is now facing legal action from many former patients who, rightfully so, feel that the company's negligence led to Paxil birth defects and that justice should be served.