Serzone® increases the risk of severe liver failure, requiring a transplant or even resulting in death.
Serzone®, manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., is a prescription medication that is commonly used to treat severe forms of depression. Approved in the United States in 1994, Serzone® often touted as superior to some other antidepressants for its lower incidence of side effects like sexual and sleep difficulties. Conversely, Serzone® has been shown to increase the risk of liver failure, which is a serious, and sometimes life-threatening disorder.

When Serzone® first hit the market, health risk warnings were noticeably absent from the labeling, and millions of people taking the drug were oblivious to the drug’s potential harm. Several Serzone® victims have encountered liver damage so severe that a transplant was required. Several more patients were killed.

The FDA repeatedly urged Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. to add firmer warnings of the drug’s dangers to the bottle, but in December of 2001, evidenced surfaced showing a three to four times greater risk of liver failure in Serzone® users than in the general public. The FDA then ordered a black box warning, considered the most serious type of warning on a drug label, to be added to Serzone®. Signs of liver failure include jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin), dark or discolored urine, appetite loss, nausea, and abdominal pain. If you used Serzone® and experienced any of the above symptoms, contact a physician immediately.

Serzone® is no longer made or sold worldwide, but Bristol-Myers Squibb cites declining sales as the reason for halting production of the drug. Serzone® was not recalled, production and marketing of the drug were simply discontinued.

Many people have suffered irreparable liver damage since beginning their treatment with Serzone®. Frighteningly, liver complications can begin as early as two weeks into treatment with Serzone®. If you or a loved one falls into this category, contact our Philadelphia-based Serzone® attorneys today. Our attorneys at at the Law Firm of Eisenberg, Rothweiler, Winkler, Eisenberg & Jeck, P.C. will fight to recompense you for your pain.