Seroxat study ‘failed’ to report effects

An antidepressant drug made here and commonly used by younger adults in Ireland and elsewhere may not be either as effective or as safe as originally believed.

According to a re-analysis of the original data from a 2001 study of paroxetine, whose active ingredient is made by GlaxoSmithKline at its plant in Cork, the drug was not effective for teens with major depression and led to serious side effects.

Sold under the brand name Seroxat in Ireland and as Paxil in the United States, the results of the original study were presented in far more favourable terms 14 years ago.