SSRI
The case for increased control of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in any form is a difficult one. There is no doubt that SSRI class antidepressants such as Paxil do a great deal of good when properly administered. They help control the chemical component of severe clinical depression, and on the whole are not something the public would wish weren't available.
On the other hand, this benefit does not warrant ignoring the ever-increasing evidence that these drugs can do a great deal of harm if prescribed, knowingly or unknowingly, to certain groups of patients.
In the case of unintended prescription, there is the case where pregnant mothers dealing with difficult depression are prescribed an SSRI. In these cases, there is increasing evidence that such exposure raises the chances of the child being born with birth defects. In particular, studies have suggested that the birth defect PPHN (persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn) is six times more likely to be present in children who were exposed to such an SSRI in the womb.
However, the physical effects of SSRIs are not the only ones. Other studies have suggested that this class of medications, particularly when prescribed to adolescents, can in certain cases actually either cause or contribute to suicidal ideation and thoughts.
It is important to note at the beginning of this part of the argument that there have been no confirmed cases of completed suicides during controlled medical studies of SSRIs. However, in this paper the author explains that studies in the UK have suggested that there is indeed a link between the beginning of antidepressant treatment and the onset of increased suicidal thoughts.
A further paper provided by NIMH has published FDA findings on SSRIs. Specifically, the FDA found 4 percent of patients prescribed SSRIs experienced increased suicidal thoughts or behavior, some of which included actual attempts. Once again, no one in the studies managed to complete a suicide attempt, which is encouraging news. However, the matter was certainly sufficient for the FDA to require SSRIs to carry black-box warnings for the suicide risks when adolescents are prescribed this medication.
You can find more information on Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and other potentially dangerous prescription drugs at our Drug Injury Attorney Blog.
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sources -
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/ucm100211.pdf
(the two above links are good for more information about PPHN specifically and SSRIs causing suicidal thoughts)
http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dailys/04/aug04/083004/04N-0330-EC-12-Attach-1.doc