Wellbutrin Recall
The drug bupropion hydrochloride, better known as the antidepressant Wellbutrin, differs from other psychoactive medications in the way that it acts on the body. In fact, there is some uncertainty as to what, exactly, the drug’s mechanism of action is. Better understood, however, is that since it was released to the United States market in 1985 by manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline, bupropion has been known to cause a number of severe health problems, including an increased risk of suicide and suicidal thoughts, seizures, congenital heart defects, liver and kidney damage, and abnormal thought patterns. For a drug that is intended to treat depression, that’s a pretty depressing list of side effects.
Wellbutrin Problematic Right From the Start
Approved for sale in the United States in 1985 as a treatment for depression, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has since approved Wellbutrin to combat seasonal affective disorder and to help people stop smoking. But in the year following its release, Wellbutrin was pulled off of shelves due to a high association with seizures. Regulators allowed it to be reintroduced in 1989 after its recommended dosage was changed, but bupropion still poses a significant risk of seizures.
Wellbutrin Could Worsen Depressive Symptoms
In 2004 the FDA advised that Wellbutrin users could “experience worsening of their depression and/or the emergence of suicidal ideation and behavior” and that Wellbutrin henceforth carry the agency’s strictest “black box” warning to advise the public of such risks. While the warning originally targeted children and teenagers, the FDA announced in 2007 that young adults faced a similar worsening of their depressive symptoms, and Wellbutrin’s black box warning was updated to reflect this.
The anti-smoking drug Zyban and its generic equivalents, which are essentially Wellbutrin repackaged and marketed for a different use, were also slapped with a black box warning in 2009 due to evidence that some people taking Zyban had, “reported experiencing unusual changes in behavior, become depressed, or had their depression worsen, and had thoughts of suicide or dying.”
Other Wellbutrin Side Effects
While the most common side effects of Wellbutrin include nervousness, constipation, dry mouth, and nausea, its list of potential complications does not end there. A 2010 publication by the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology found that women who take Wellbutrin during the early stages of their pregnancies increase their risk of giving birth to a child with a heart defect that could require surgery to repair. Bupropion may also damage the kidneys and liver, severely raise a patient’s blood pressure, cause unusual thought patterns such as hallucinations, paranoia, and psychosis, and induce a severe allergic reaction.
Free Consultations for Wellbutrin Injury Victims
If you or your child were harmed by Wellbutrin, Zyban, or a generic form of bupropion, you certainly can’t be blamed. GSK or another manufacturer can, however, but it may be necessary to take legal action to obtain reparations for harm suffered. For a free evaluation of your eligibility to receive compensation through a lawsuit, fill out this contact form.