Women taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) including Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil, Lexapro and Celexa during pregnancy may be at an increased risk of delivering infants with potentially life-threatening birth defects. Kentucky birth defect attorneys note that pending lawsuits from plaintiffs allege that the manufacturers of these antidepressants may have neglected to adequately warn patients and physicians of the possible risk of birth defects.
Those who were taking SSRIs such as Zoloft during pregnancy and delivered a child with birth defects are advised to seek legal counsel from Kentucky birth defect attorneys to seek compensation for medical expenses and other damages. However, those looking to pursue a claim may need to act quickly as there is a time limit for filing these types of cases. Failure to file a lawsuit within this period will prevent the family from being able to take legal action in the future.
About SSRIs
These medications are prescribed to treat a variety of mood disorders such as depression, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. These conditions are often linked to low serotonin levels in the brain. SSRIs help by boosting these levels and have been shown to be effective in treating anxiety and depression. While patients often experience side effects after the initial dose, these effects typically subside within two to three weeks.
Common side effects alleged by Kentucky birth defect attorneys and plaintiffs include:
- Sexual complications such as erectile dysfunction, reduced sexual desire and difficulty reaching orgasm
- Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, dry mouth, headache
- Dizziness, drowsiness, insomnia, nervousness, agitation, restlessness
- Weight gain or loss
- Bleeding into the gut
- Increased suicidal tendencies
- Increased risk of fractures
SSRIs and Birth Defects
In a Danish study, pregnant women had a 60 percent greater chance of delivering a baby with complications if the baby was exposed to SSRIs within the first 12 weeks of gestation compared to those who did not take anxiety or antidepressants during pregnancy. However, alleged birth defects from Zoloft are not merely limited to cardiac complications; abdominal and skull conditions have also been reported.
Potential claims currently in review by Kentucky birth defect attorneys include:
- Club foot
- Spina bifida
- Omphalocele
- Carniosynostosis
- Coarctation of the aorta
- Transposition of the great arteries (TGA)
- Tetralogy of fallot (TOF)
- Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS)
- Atrial septal defects (ASD)
- Ventricular septal defects (VSD)
- Heart murmurs
If you or a loved one have delivered a child with birth defects after taking SSRIs including Zoloft while pregnant, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your child’s condition as well as any related medical bills and expenses.
Why File a Lawsuit?
Birth defects may require treatment with one or several surgeries, a process in which heavy financial and emotional strain is placed on the parents. In cases of heart defects, the child may need to undergo an initial surgery before he or she reaches the age of three, and the potential need for additional surgeries throughout life is prevalent. While some defects relating to Zoloft and antidepressant use during pregnancy are treatable when diagnosed early, in other cases, the only viable option may involve a heart operation, a heart transplant or other serious treatment.
Plaintiffs working with Kentucky birth defect attorneys allege that the manufacturers of Zoloft and similar other medications failed to adequately warn patients and the medical community about the potential risks while taking SSRIs during pregnancy. In fact, nearly all anxiety and antidepressants are currently classified into a Category C label by the FDA as animal studies showed birth defects in newborns. Women who have recently found out that they are pregnant and are currently taking an antidepressant or anxiety drug are urged to consult with their healthcare providers as soon as possible to discuss the potential risks and complications associated with the continuation of treatment.
Considering an SSRI Lawsuit? A Kentucky Birth Defect Attorney is Here
Have you or a loved one taken Zoloft, Lexapro, Paxil or other anxiety or antidepressant during pregnancy and you delivered a child with known birth defects such as heart complications, epilepsy, cleft palate, spina bifida or pulmonary hypertension? If so, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your child’s condition to help pay for medical expenses and other damages. At Attorney Group for Kentucky, we assist those who are interested in filing birth defect lawsuits and work to answer questions you may have. If we feel you have a valid claim, you will be connected to an experienced Kentucky birth defect attorney who will help see your case through trial. So contact Attorney Group for Kentucky today for your free consultation.
