Wellbutrin Lawsuit

A Brief Guide to Filing a Wellbutrin Lawsuit:

Wellbutrin, which utilizes the drug Bupropion, is used to treat depression and seasonal affective disorder—Wellbutrin is also used to help people quit smoking. Wellbutrin belongs to a class of medications called antidepressants; it is effective by increasing certain chemicals and activities in the brain.

Wellbutrin comes as a sustained-release, extended-release and regular tablet. Like the majority of anti-depressants, Wellbutrin may cause side effects. Please contact your doctor if any of the following Wellbutrin side effects are severe or persistent:

• Common Wellbutrin side effects include: Excitement; dry mouth; uncontrollable shaking of the body; weight loss; excessive sweating; vomiting.

Some Wellbutrin Side effects are more serious. If you experience the following Wellbutrin side effects or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section of the drug’s packaging, please contact your doctor immediately:
Serious Wellbutrin side effects include: hallucinations; confusion; development of blisters or rashes; itching; hives; swelling of the tongue, throat, eyes, feet, ankles or lower legs; hoarseness; difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Wellbutrin FDA Warnings and Lawsuits:

In 2009, the United States Food and Drug Adminstration required the addition of warnings concerning the possibility of suicidal thoughts, aggression, hostility and other emotional fluctuations during the course of Wellbutrin treatment—these are classified as the most severe Wellbutrin side effects. While no major Wellbutrin lawsuits over suicide have been filed, survivors of patients who killed themselves prior to the addition of this warning may still be able to pursue litigation for damages. These Wellbutrin lawsuits are filed on behalf of the victim as a means to secure compensation to offset the costs associated with pain and suffering, medical expenses and lost wages.

Several other Wellbutrin side effects may prove valid grounds for Wellbutrin lawsuits. Many studies have associated particular birth defects with usage of the drug. For example, a 2010 review of nearly 13,000 American births between 1997 and 2004 found that women taking this medication were twice as likely to have children with the condition "left outflow tract defect." Other Wellbutrin side effects noticed in children include various heart conditions, spina bifida and clubfoot—because these side effects were underreported, a number of Wellbutrin lawsuits have been filed in hopes of securing remuneration.

A Wellbutrin lawsuit may also be considered by survivors of patients who suffered a fatal cardiovascular event as a result of Wellbutrin treatment. A 2006 study conducted by Duke University found that, over a three year period, male users with coronary artery were more likely to suffer fatal cardiovascular events. Survivors of such patients may choose to file a Wellbutrin lawsuit against GlaxoSmithKline—the drug’s creator. A Wellbutrin lawsuit could claim that the manufacturer did not sufficiently warn against the risk of this development.

In 2012, GlaxoSmithKline agreed to pay $1 billion as part of a Wellbutrin settlement. After a prolonged investigation regarding marketing of the drug, the Justice Department alleged in a Wellbutrin lawsuit that the company bribed and rewarded doctors for off-label prescriptions. Regardless of potential Wellbutrin side effects, aggressive marketing was pursued to encourage administration for weight loss and other unapproved uses. While the charges in this Wellbutrin lawsuit dealt with actions that took place in the mid-2000s, it opened the potential for further Wellbutrin lawsuits. Patients experiencing serious Wellbutrin side effects after being prescribed the drug for off-label purposes may file a Wellbutrin lawsuit alleging that deceptive and illegal marketing was responsible for these consequences to their health.

To date, there has not been any notable class action Wellbutrin lawsuit concerning suicide or birth defects. However, many lawyers are available to evaluate the chances of successfully obtaining compensation regarding Wellbutrin side effects.

Sources:

1. http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm089824.pdf

2. http://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/postmarketdrugsafetyinformationforpatientsandproviders/ucm103318.html

3.United States National Library of Medicine “ Bupropion” retrieved from:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000970/`