Third Neurontin Suicide Wrongful Death Settlement Reached

Pfizer has agreed to settle a third lawsuit in connection with promoting off-label uses and violating anti-racketeering laws of its anti-seizure medication, Neurontin. The settlements are good news for anyone injured by Neurontin side effects – and Neurontin injury lawyers say that Pfizer may end up paying over $150 million in damages.

Third Neurontin Suicide Wrongful Death Settlement

The third Neurontin suicide wrongful death settlement involves a 79 year old retired minister who committed suicide after taking Neurontin for only two months due to neck and back injuries. Although the settlement terms were not disclosed, this is the third Neurontin settlement and Neurontin attorneys say that Pfizer may end up paying over $150 million in damages for aggressively marketing off-label uses of the anti-seizure medication and for violating anti-racketeering laws.

The first Neurontin settlement was for $400,000 and involved a Massachusetts man who committed suicide after he took Neurontin. The second Neurontin settlement was for an undisclosed amount and involved California's Kaiser Permanente. The insurer filed a lawsuit against Pfizer alleging that the pharmaceutical company violated anti-racketeering laws by promoting Neurontin for unapproved uses.

What is Neurontin?

Manufactured by Pfizer, Neurontin (gabapentin), is an anti-convulsant drug that was initially approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 1994 as an add-on treatment to control partial seizures associated with epilepsy. However, Pfizer has been accused of promoting the drug for many off label uses, including:

• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
• Bipolar Disorder
• Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Seizures
• Essential Tremor Periodic Limb Movement
• Migraine
• Pain Syndromes, Peripheral Neuropathy and Diabetic Neuropathy
• Post-Hepatic Neuralgia (PHN)
• Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)
• Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)
• Treatment of Epilepsy alone (as monotherapy)
• Trigeminal Neuralgia

Neurontin Side Effects

As a result of off-label promotion, sales of Neurontin reached nearly $3 billion. However, Pfizer allegedly failed to warn consumers about serious Neurontin side effects including suicidal thoughts, destructive behavior, hostile moods, sudden mood changes, sudden personality changes and various behavioral problems. It has been reported that 12 million people may have taken Neurontin and that Neurontin side effects may be responsible for nearly 2,000 attempted Neurontin suicides.

Neurontin Lawsuits, Litigation & Lawyers

If you or a loved one has experienced Neurontin side effects, contact a Neurontin injury lawyer to find out whether Pfizer may be liable for your injuries. However, it's important not to wait as every state has its own statute of limitations for filing a Neurontin lawsuit.