Birth Defects and Their Connection to Antidepressant & Anti-Anxiety Drugs

For the past decade numerous scientific studies have shown that use of SSRIs during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of serious side effects, including miscarriage and severe birth defects.  Such SSRI birth defects include Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in the Newborn (PPHN), serious heart defects, and other congenital abnormalities.

Despite the overwhelming evidence about these SSRI side effects, these drugs remain on the market and are heavily prescribed to treat conditions like depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.  While the FDA has mandated warnings on all SSRI labeling and their FDA-imposed pregnancy status indicates these drugs can cause serious harm, some women are not told of these risks.

Our attorneys, paralegals and staff are ready to work for you. Call Pendley, Baudin & Coffin at 1-800-931-6207 or click here for a free and confidential initial consultation today.

SSRIs

SSRIs, or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, are a class of drugs that act on the neurotransmitter serotonin to boost mood and treat a variety of other symptoms and conditions.  These drugs include:

• Zoloft (Sertraline)
• Lexapro (Escitalopram)
• Prozac and Sarafem (Fluoxetine)
• Celexa (Citalopram)
• Paxil (Paroxetine)
• Effexor (Venlafaxine)
• Pristiq (Desvenlafaxine)

Birth Defects

Numerous studies, described in detail under SSRI birth defects, have found that SSRI use during pregnancy greatly increases the risk of myriad birth defects.  Here are just a few findings from the many studies conducted on SSRI and birth defects:

• PPHN is six times more common in babies whose mothers use SSRIs during pregnancy
• Neonatal abstinence syndrome, the term for newborn drug addiction, occurs in approximately 30 percent of infants whose mothers use SSRIs during pregnancy
• Zoloft appears to more than triple the risk of life-threateningheart defects.  Use of more than one SSRI increases the risk of this heart defect five-fold.
• Pregnant women taking SSRIs were 68% more likely to suffer miscarriage
• Maternal use of SSRIs later in pregnancy cause delays in infant's motor development.

Your Rights

If you took Lexapro, Zoloft or any other SSRI mood drug during pregnancy, and you suffered miscarriage or your child was born with an SSRI birth defect, such as PPHN or congenital heart defect, you have the legal right to seek compensation for your losses and suffering through a Lexapro lawsuit or Zoloft lawsuit.  Please contact us or call 1-800-931-6207 to speak with a qualified and experienced attorney who can listen to your story, answer your questions, discuss your options, and offer you the help you need to obtain the compensation you deserve for your losses and suffering. Click here for more information.