Drug Labeling Mix-up Puts Pregnant Women Taking Depression Drug Citalopram at Risk

Greenstone LLC, a Pfizer subsidiary, is in the news after the disclosure that the labels on two of its drugs were inadvertently put on the wrong bottles, according to the FDA.

The drug manufacturer has indicated that labels for its prostate drug Finasteride (trade names: Proscar, Proplexia) were put on bottles of its anti-depressant Citalopram (trade name: Celexa). The Citalopram labels were also applied to the bottles of Finasteride.

If you take the incorrect medication because of this labeling mistake by the drug manufacturer, it could have serious risks. Women who are pregnant should not take Finasteride because it is a pregnancy category X drug. The drug can be absorbed through the skin and has been proven as harmful to an unborn fetus. Similarly, patients that have been taking an anti-depressant can experience more intense depression if the person suddenly stops taking the medication.

While Greenstone is blaming their third-party manufacturer for the mix-up, Greenstone may be responsible under product liability law to anyone who suffers serious injury from the mislabeling of the drugs. If you have taken Finasteride and are expecting, you should immediately discontinue use of the drug and contact your doctor. Our experienced Atlanta defective drug lawyers represent those who suffer serious injury resulting from the adverse side effects of defective drugs.

There are a number of ways that drug companies can injure the public with their products, but the most common method may involve deceptive and even fraudulent marketing methods. Pharmaceutical companies often promote drugs for unapproved uses or understate side effects in television advertising. Drug companies marketing methods also often include use of marginal medical journals that are little more than advertising forums for drug manufacturers.

"Covert promotion of pharmaceuticals is an important public health issue because it can contribute to the unnecessary overuse of certain drugs or lead to their off-label use without sufficient evidence of efficacy,” Dr. Aaron Kesselheim wrote in a commentary [PDF] published by the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ).

If you or your loved one has suffered a serious side effect resulting from your use of a danagerous or defective drug, Montlick and Associates offers a free initial case evaluation. Montlick and Associates is available to assist clients throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.