Zoloft Lawsuit and Side
Effect Information

Zoloft Overview

Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride) is made by Pfizer and was approved in 1991. It's used for treating major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and social anxiety in children and adults. In 2007 prescriptions for Pfizer's Zoloft/Lustra topped 29,652,000.

Sertraline actually got its initial introduction into the world of medicine in the early 70s. It was one of a series of drug compounds being worked on at the time. One compound caught chemists' attention and they played with it. What they got was a surprise and called it sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). There were no Zoloft lawsuits filed then.

The FDA considered it to be safe for depression, but was split on whether it was that effective. This drug was originally only approved for adults ages 18 and over. In 2003 the FDA approved it to treat children aged 6 or older with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder.

In 2005 a black box warning was added about pediatric suicidal behavior. In 2007 the label changed again to up the age on the suicide warnings to young adults 18 to 24.

Zoloft's US patent expired in 2006 and it's now available in generic forms. Drug history is a crucial part of a Zoloft lawsuit.

Zoloft Side Effects & Other Concerns

Zoloft side effects are many and varied. They may include suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self-harm, hostility, aggression, restlessness, irritability, impulsiveness, panic attacks, anxiety and mood or behavior changes.

There may also be problems with seizures, tremors, stiff muscles, problems with balance/coordination, agitation, sweating, fast heartbeat, confusion, decreased sex drive, impotence, difficulty having orgasms, fluctuations in weight and appetite, nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness.

SSRI drugs such as Zoloft have been associated with birth defects such as persistent pulmonary hypertension and heart, lung, abdominal and head defects.

Lawsuits of note against Pfizer have been and are for:

* Depo-Provera (contraceptive injection) - reduces bone mineral density

* Neuronton - epilepsy drug, off label use

* Chantix - stop smoking drug that caused people to commit suicide

* Rezulin - diabetic drug, deaths, liver failure, removed from market 2000

* Geodon/Ziprasidone - antipsychotic

* Mirapex - for tremors in Parkinson's disease, makes people obsessive compulsive

* Aspartame - 92 side effects, people were not adequately warned

* Pseudoephedrine - complicit in sales of drug knowing it could be used to make meth

* Zithromax (antibiotic)

* Celebrex (pain killer for arthritis)

* Bextra (pain killer for arthritis) - making false and misleading statements

* Zoloft (for depression, panic, anxiety) - concealed evidence and deceptive marketing

* Lipitor (lowers cholesterol) - failed to adequately warn of side effects

* Trovan (used experimentally in Nigeria on children & causing deaths)

* Idamycin (cancer drug)

Zoloft Lawsuits

In July 2005 in Minneapolis a plaintiff alleged that her husband committed suicide due to Zoloft side effects and that Pfizer fraudulently marketed Zoloft as safe and effective. It was further alleged that the drug company failed to provide warnings about Zoloft's potential to induce suicidal thoughts and behavior, even though they knew about the risks.

In Orlando in 2004 a lawsuit was launched against Pfizer alleging that the drug company engaged in deceptive and unlawful trade practices in the sale, distribution and promotion of Zoloft.

The suit also brought claims against Pfizer for product liability and negligence, as well as claims against local health care providers for medical negligence. This case involved the suicide of a man who took his life two weeks after being given Zoloft by his doctor.

One case involving a 13-year old boy was dismissed by federal appeals court in Kansas. He committed suicide 6 days after being given Zoloft. The court could not decide if the boy intentionally or accidentally killed himself.

In 2005 a cancer surgery survivor was prescribed Zoloft for depression. Three weeks later he shot himself. The lawsuit claimed Pfizer was "negligent not testing Zoloft properly for its propensity to cause suicide or violence." It was also alleged they failed to warn the public about the side effects.

If you have suffered serious Zoloft side effects or have lost a loved one who committed suicide while taking Zoloft, call an lawyer for help. A Zoloft attorney will advise you of your legal rights and assess your claim, then discuss the possibility of filing a Zoloft lawsuit.




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