Wellbutrin® patients may experience seizures, liver failure, and suicidal tendencies. Wellbutrin® is a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI) prescribed to treat depression. It works differently than other antidepressants like Paxil, Zoloft®, and Serzone by affecting different chemicals in the brain. Many patients who do not respond to traditional SSRIs are prescribed Wellbutrin®.

Touted as superior to other antidepressants because of a lower incidence of sexual side effects, Wellbutrin® has enjoyed much publicity and praise since it’s release. Despite its unique compound, however, Wellbutrin® users run the same risk of encountering some of the most serious side effects seen in the majority of antidepressants. Thus, in 2004, GSK was ordered by the Food and Drug Administration to add the same black box warning to Wellbutrin® that was recently added to many antidepressants warning of the potential spike in suicidality.

Furthermore, GSK admits that 1127 suspected drug reactions were reported between 1998 and 2001. Suicide, liver failure, and myocarditis contributed to three of the nineteen deaths reported. 172 seizure convulsions and 37 cases of serum-sickness-like reactions were also reported. Wellbutrin® has not officially been deemed directly causal in these health complications, but the drug has only been on market for several years. There are obvious risks involved with taking the drug. Seizures have been frequently reported in patients taking relatively high doses of Wellbutrin®.

Wellbutrin® was initially yanked from the market in its original form, due to a strong link to seizures. The extended release formula was intended to sidestep that frightening risk, but clearly Wellbutrin® XL still carries a hefty risk.

If you or a loved one took Wellbutrin® and experienced a seizure or liver damage, or experienced even more severe depression or suicidality, contact our Philadelphia based Wellbutrin® lawyers today for a case review. Our attorneys will fight to reclaim damages lost by Philadelphia area Wellbutrin® patients.