Women who take Paxil, Zoloft, Lexapro, Celexa, or other SSRIs may be more likely to deliver a child with heart, skull, congenital, and abdominal birth defects, according to recent studies. If you believe that your child was born with a condition that resulted from your SSRI use during pregnancy, contact Attorney Group for Alabama today for more information about filing an SSRI lawsuit and recovering damages for your child’s injury.
What are SSRIs?
SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are some of the most frequently prescribed drugs in the world. These products are intended to ease the symptoms associated with depression and anxiety by preventing serotonin from reabsorbing into the brain. By altering this balance, the patient’s brain can more effectively send and receive chemical messages, thus increasing the patient’s mood.
Dangers of SSRIs
While each medication is different, they typically work in similar ways and can cause similar side effects. Patients have reportedly suffered from insomnia, increased suicidal tendencies, and other common changes such as nervousness, recklessness, and agitation.
However, recent studies have found that SSRIs may cause severe birth defects if a woman takes these medications while pregnant. Plaintiffs may consider working with an attorney in Alabama to file an SSRI lawsuit if their child was born with one or more health complications, such as:
- Heart defects
- Omphalocele
- Coarctation of the aorta
- Tetralogy of fallot
- Spina bifida
- Club foot
- Craniosynostosis
Other potential health risks associated with depression and anxiety medications include a greater chance that the baby will be of low birth weight and be premature, especially if the medications are used in the final trimester. At birth, a baby may show signs of withdrawal such as irritability, respiratory distress, shivering, seizures, jitters, and crying.
As a result of the potential birth defects that could arise from SSRI use during pregnancy, women throughout the U.S. are filing SSRI lawsuits against the manufacturers of these products for failing to warn of the possible complications. There are currently 521 Zoloft lawsuits pending in a multidistrict litigation underway in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania. According to several plaintiffs, had they been adequately informed of these alleged dangers, they would have avoided taking certain SSRIs or opted for a safer medication in order to control their depression or anxiety disorders.
Do You Have an Alabama SSRI Claim?
If you took an SSRI and your baby was born with a birth defect, you may have an SSRI claim against those allegedly responsible. Contact Attorney Group for Alabama for a free case evaluation that can help you determine whether you are eligible to pursue a claim for compensation. We can put you in touch with an affiliated attorney who can file your SSRI lawsuit and help you to seek the compensation to which you may be entitled. Call today.
