Serzone Information

What is Serzone?

Serzone is name under which Bristol-Myers Squibb Company markets nefazodone, an antidepressant. Serzone is considered an alternative to other antidepressants of the SSRI class, such as Zoloft, Paxil, or Prozac. Serzone has been under scrutiny because the US FDA notified the drug company that it must include a black-box warning on Serzone.

Serzone Death Count: 20 Plus One

Nineteen year old Cassie Geisenhof died on April 12, 2004 from complications related to a liver transplant which followed liver failure caused by Serzone (nefazodone). Cassie's tragic story and untimely death was featured on the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather in April 2004. We had the privilege of representing Cassie for her Serzone case; Tom Lamb was Cassie’s lawyer.

Taking Serzone? How's Your Liver?

The controversial antidepressant drug Serzone (nefazodone) caused 53 cases of liver injury, including 11 deaths from December 1994 through March 2002. Since March 2002, nine more people have died from liver failure while taking Serzone.

Serzone Side Effects Prompt Canadian Recall.

Bristol-Myers Squib announces voluntary recall of Serzone in Canada following reports of side effects, possible liver damage, and liver failure.

November 25, 2003 article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal

Because of concerns of hepatotoxicity, the sale of the antidepressant nefazodone hydrochloride (Serzone) will be discontinued by the manufacturer effective Nov. 27, 2003. Since the drug's introduction in 1994, there have been 51 Canadian reports of adverse hepatic events, including jaundice, hepatitis and hepatocellular necrosis.

Serzone Withdrawal Possible in Canada.

Amid Serzone warnings and voluntary market withdrawals, Bristol-Myers Squibb is discussing Serzone safety and side effects with Health Canada, citing concerns about Serzone and liver damage.

Public Citizen Petitions FDA to Ban Serzone

Citing Serzone side effects, potential interactions, and reports of liver damage and liver failure worldwide, the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen petitioned the FDA to remove Serzone (nefazodone) from the market on March 6, 2003.

Bristol-Myers Squibb To Stop Sale of Dutonin in Europe

Bristol-Myers Squibb will no longer sell its antidepressant nefazodone, sold as Dutonin in Europe and Serzone in the US, in Europe in 2003. Despite black box warning and reported deaths, Serzone continues to sell in US.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Pulls Antidepressant Drug from Dutch Market

Bristol-Myers Squibb will voluntarily stop selling Serzone in the Netherlands after April 1, 2003. This follows the manufacturer's voluntary recall of Serzone (nefazodone) in Sweden.

Serzone manufacturer Bristol-Myers Squibb voluntarily withdraws Serzone from market in Sweden

After receiving 26 reports of serious liver failure and some deaths attributed to Serzone, the Netherlands Medicine Assessments Board announced in November 2002 that it will investigate adverse reactions to Serzone.

Serzone Warning Information

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Advisory about Serzone. Read the letter sent to health care professionals about the possibility of hepatic failure in patients treated with Serzone.

Serzone Class Actions

Our law firm believes that people injured by Serzone deserve to have an individual lawsuit filed. Our firm believes an individual lawsuit is more beneficial to the client.

June 2001 letter to Canadian health professionals about risk of liver failure

In June 2001, Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada wrote a letter to Canadian Health professionals warning of severe and serious hepatic events associated with the use of Serzone.

The letter is in .pdf format, which can be viewed with Adobe's Acrobat Reader. To download the free reader, use the link on the lower right of this page.

Serzone and Legal Compensation

How to get legal compensation for a Serzone injury or Serzone death.

Serzone Case Evaluation