SSRIs and Their Use
SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) anti-depressants are the most popular antidepressant, and they are used to treat a wide variety of mood disorders, such as depression, bulimia nervosa, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Some of the more commonly prescribed SSRIs are Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, and Lexapro. These drugs work by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, a critical neurotransmitter that regulates mood. This is known to markedly improve the outlook and behavior of patients, but the exact action mechanism the drug is not completely understood.
The Risks Behind SSRIs
As with any other medicine, there are risks associated with the use of SSRIs. These risks have recently caused some controversy. One of the greater risks patients claim with SSRIs is birth defects. In the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers reported that women who used Zoloft during the early stages of pregnancy were 200-percent more likely of giving birth to a baby with heart defects. The study showed that anencephaly, coarctation of the aorta, omphalocele, anal atresia, and severe physical malformations were all more commonly found in infants born to mothers who had used SSRI anti-depressants during their pregnancy. This is a serious issue, as according to the New York Times, up to 14 percent of pregnant women take anti-depressants, perhaps unaware of the risk they pose to fetuses.
A Rise in SSRI Lawsuits
In response to the studies mentioned above, many families have chosen to take action against the pharmaceutical company through civil litigation. There has been over 500 SSRI lawsuits over Zoloft, a popular SSRI anti-depressant, filed against Pfizer. These lawsuits claim that the SSRIs were the cause of birth defects in newborns and that Pfizer failed to warn consumers adequately about the birth defect risk when Zoloft is used during pregnancy. Other medications being investigated by lawyers for litigation include Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, Paxil, and others.
Filing a Georgia SSRI Lawsuit
If you live in Georgia and you believe your child might have been affected by a birth defect caused by SSRIs, Attorney Group for Georgia can help you. We can answer questions or concerns you might have about SSRIs and the process of filing a lawsuit. In addition to providing you with a free case evaluation, we can also connect you with an affiliated attorney in Georgia who can help you seek the monetary damages you may be entitled to.
