Lawsuits Related to SSRIs
Over the years, SSRI lawsuits have been on the rise. There are currently over 500 lawsuits related to Zoloft, an SSRI anti-depressant manufactured by Pfizer. Many of these SSRI lawsuits allege both that SSRIs caused birth defects in the plaintiffs’ newborns and that the pharmaceutical companies neglected to adequately warn consumers about the risk of birth defects associated with use in pregnancy.
What are SSRIs?
SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are the most widely used class of antidepressants on the market. They are designed to treat a number of mood disorders, including moderate and severe depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bulimia nervosa. SSRIs alter the levels of an important neurotransmitter, serotonin, by preventing its reabsorption. Studies have shown that this results in an elevated mood, although why this is the case is not exactly known. Manufacturers maintain that SSRI anti-depressants are relatively safe, especially when patients follow instructions correctly. They assert that SSRI medication has a much less severe side effect profile than other kinds of medication.
The Dangers of SSRIs
Recent research has shown that SSRIs may significantly increase the risk of birth defects for mothers who take the drug while they are pregnant. The United States Food and Drug Administration released a public health warning that mothers who take Paxil while pregnant may be at an increased risk of delivering infants with heart defects. The New England Journal of Medicine has found that infants who were born to mothers who took antidepressants during the last trimester of pregnancy were six times more likely to be born with persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN). In 2009, the British Medical Journal initiated a study that concluded that mothers who took SSRIs dramatically increased the risk of a wide variety of birth defects, especially heart defects. These studies show that SSRIs pass through the placenta barrier during pregnancy, which could potentially damage the fetus.
File a Florida SSRI Lawsuit
If you or someone you know in Florida has been injured due to SSRIs, it is important to consider taking legal action and seeking compensation for your injuries. If you’re unsure of how to proceed in Florida, call Attorney Group for Florida today. We can answer questions and concerns you might have about your options regarding SSRI lawsuits. We can also provide you with a free case evaluation and connect you with an affiliated attorney in Florida who can provide you with the legal assistance you need to seek compensation in an SSRI lawsuit.
