Effexor Lawsuit Lawyer
Please note: Our law firm no longer accepts Effexor cases.
A January 2013 study of more than 27,000 births found babies who were born to mothers who took Effexor during pregnancy were more than twice as likely to suffer from many types of serious congenital defects. Defects seen in the study included:
• Anencephaly: a usually fatal brain or skull defect
• Atrial septal defects: heart wall defects.
• Cleft palate: a visible gap in the palate, requiring surgery
• Gastroschisis: an abdominal wall hole through which intestines typically protrude.
The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) performed the study. The CDC’s findings showed not only that the increased birth defect risk applied to women who took Effexor during the first trimester of pregnancy, but also to those who took Effexor in the month prior to conception.
Contact an experienced Effexor Attorney now for a free legal consultation and a possible Effexor Lawsuit.
Effexor is an SNRI
Effexor (venlafaxine) a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) is an anti-depressant that has been on the market for two decades. The anti-depressant Pristiq is a synthetic version of the same active substance in Effexor, and likewise may pose the same risks.
Effexor Recall Information
Despite its mild to severe side effects, Effexor not been recalled. We will post such news immediately if it should occur.
Effexor Lawsuit Information
If you or a loved one has experienced adverse side effects from the use of Effexor, you may qualify for compensation to help with the cost of your medical expenses, as well as your pain and suffering. Contact an Effexor Lawyer for a free consultation and Effexor lawsuit information. Call Matthews and Associates toll free at 1-888-520-5202.
FDA Warnings for Effexor
In February 2009, the FDA ordered a wide range of antidepressants to carry new warnings of a rare but possibly deadly side effect most often seen in the first few weeks of treatment or with increased dosage. The new warnings labels of two classes of new-generation medications for depression — selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) required drug makers to notify patients and physicians that malignant neuroleptic syndrome has been linked to the use of these drugs.
Among the drug companies ordered to revise their labels to alert patients of the danger were those making Celexa, Cymbalta, Effexor, Lexapro, Paxil, Pexeva, Pristiq, Prozac, Venlafaxine and Zoloft.
In 2007, the FDA’s Division of Drug Marketing, Advertising, and Communications (DDMAC) reviewed a professional journal ad submitted by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Inc. for Effexor XR® (venlafaxine HCl) Tablets (Effexor XR) under cover of Form FDA-2253. The FDA issued a stern warning in regard to that journal ad.
The journal ad was misleading, the FDA said, because it overstated the efficacy of Effexor XR, made unsubstantiated superiority claims and other unsubstantiated claims. It also minimized Effexor’s risks.
The warning stated: “[The] piece misbrands the drug in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Act), 21 U.S.C. § 352(n) and FDA implementing regulations, 21 CFR 202.1(e)(6)(i) & (6)(ii); (e)(7)(i). These violations are concerning from a public health perspective because they suggest that Effexor XR is safer and more effective than has been demonstrated.”
Effexor
◆ goes by the generic name venlaxafine.
◆ contains the active ingredient venlaxafine
◆ was originally approved in 1994
◆ is manufactured by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
◆ was first approved in 1994 for depression
Off-label Uses of Effexor
“Off label” means a use not approved by the FDA. These uses are not included in the approved language of a drug’s label and prescribing information. Off-label marketing is illegal, but it is legal for doctors to write prescriptions for off-label uses.
• Diabetic neuropathy
• migraine prophylaxis
• menopause issues
Effexor Side Effects
While Effexor may be effective for its indicated treatments of depression and general anxiety disorder, many side effects associated with the drug. Some can be severe. They include:
• headache
• nausea
• weight loss
• constipation
• blurry vision
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• increased blood pressure
Effexor FDA Alerts
In July 2006, FDA warned of a “Potentially Life-Threatening Serotonin Syndrome with Combined Use of SSRIs or SNRIs and Triptan Medications
There is the potential for life-threatening serotonin syndrome (a syndrome of changes in mental status, autonomic instability, neuromuscular abnormalities, and gastrointestinal symptoms) in patients taking 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonists (triptans) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or selective serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) concomitantly (see drug names at the bottom of this sheet). This information is based on reports of serotonin syndrome occurring in patients treated with triptans and SSRIs/SNRIs, and the biological plausibility of such a reaction in persons receiving two serotonergic medications. The FDA recommends that patients treated concomitantly with a triptan and an SSRI/SNRI be informed of the possibility of serotonin syndrome (which may be more likely to occur when starting or increasing the dose of an SSRI, SNRI, or triptan) and be carefully followed.
Effexor Medication Guide
