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Wellbutrin, Paxil and other drugs are commonly prescribed to women who are or may become pregnant for several reasons, including as an antidepressant SSRI aid and as a smoking cessation pill. Regardless of the reason, women who take these drugs may experience a greater than average risk of infant child birth defects, including but not limited to heart defects, cleft palate, cleft lip, skeletal deformations and more. If your child experienced such a horrific side effect, please call us today for a free case evaluation on how we can help.
Listing of Drugs
There are various medications the FDA warns women against taking during different stages of pregnancy. The drugs found on this list went through multiple tests, research experiments, and survey before the FDA classified them as dangerous to babies during pregnancy.
IF YOU HAVE TAKEN ANY OF THESE DRUGS AND YOUR CHILD HAS DEVELOPED A BIRTH DEFECT, PLEASE CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY.
Zoloft (sertraline), a popular antidepressant known as a “selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor” (SSRI), is linked to dangerous side effects in users and serious birth defects (including, heart murmur, hole in the heart and other serious heart defects) if taken by pregnant women. Since 2006, the FDA has warned against the use of Zoloft and other SSRIs in pregnant mothers.
Paxil (paroxetine), one of the most widely prescribed SSRI’s for depression in adults has also been associated with serious side effects in men and women and very dangerous birth defects like heart defects that can result in death if taken by pregnant women. Also part of the 2006 study of SSRI side effects, Paxil has been identified by the FDA to be dangerous for women who are pregnant or who become pregnant.
Prozac (fluoxetine) is probably the most popular anti-depressant and SSRI prescribed by physicians over the past decade and is considered by the FDA to be highly dangerous for women who are pregnant or may become pregnant. Side effects of Prozac include heart defects, cleft palate/cleft lip, and persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborns (PPHN).
Celexa (citalopram), one of the more recent brand-named SSRI’s used to treat depression, was identified by the FDA in 2011 as being linked to very serious side effects as well as birth defects. The FDA issued a warning to adults who took higher dosages of Celexa that they are at a greater risk of deadly heart conditions including fatal heart rhythm problems. Consumer Reports released an article on the study as well.
Wellbutrin (bupropion hydrochloride), was identified by the FDA in 2009 to have links to dangerous side effects and potentially fatal birth defects. A public health advisory was released by the FDA pointing out that Wellbutrin, Chantix and Zyban may increase the risk of suicide and serious neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate) is prescribed by doctors to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder and is in the group of medications classified as SSRIs or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Similar to Zoloft, Paxil and Prozac, Lexapro has been linked to serious and dangerous side effects including thoughts of suicide in adults and heart defects in children from mothers who have taken these products.
Effexor (venlafaxine) is an antidepressant and anti-anxiety drug that was approved by the FDA and released on the market in 2004 as an another SSRI. Since then it has been shown to have a direct correlation with permanent and dangerous birth defects including abdominal birth defects, anal atresia, cardiac defects, limb defects and genital defects.
Diflucan (fluconazole), a powerful anti-fungal medication prescribed to women with yeast infections and other types of fungal infections in the body and organs, may be associated with rare but very serious side effects and birth defects in infants whose mothers were treated with Diflucan. The FDA reported the following possible birth defects: mis-shaped head, cleft palate/cleft lip, joint deformities and congenital heart disease and heart defects.
Topamax (topiramate) is an anti-seizure drug used to treat epileptics and is also prescribed for adults suffering migraine headaches. In 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration strengthened their warning based on new data that links Topamax to severe birth defects when used while pregnant. If you or someone you know has taken or is currently taking Topamax, it is strongly urged by the FDA to discuss alternative treatments for seizures and migraines.
Depakote (divalproex sodium), another popular anti-seizure drug prescribed by doctors to treat epileptic seizures, has been reported in some studies to be linked to severe birth defects and side effects. Birth defects identified in these studies include: holes in the heart, abnormal skull formation, cleft palate/cleft lip, and spina bifida.
If you or someone close to you have taken any of the above drugs and have experienced any of the following birth defects contact our team of Birth Defect Attorneys immediately to discuss your options.
These are some possible birth defects:
Hole in Heart
Heart Defects
Cleft Lip/Cleft Palate
Club Foot, Fetal Death
Anal Atresia
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)
Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome (HRHS)Lung Disease/Pulmonary Hypertension
Limb Defect/Genital Defect
Ventrical Outflow Defect
Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
Tetralogy of the Fallot
Transposition of the Great Arteries
A Ventrical Septal Defect (VSD)
Pulmonary Hypertension in newborn (PPHN)
Anyone who has taken any prescribed medications during pregnancy should discuss their options with a licensed birth defect lawyer immediately. They may be entitled to financial compensation.
Alleged Birth Defects
Anti-depressants have become a troubling subject when it comes to teenagers; however, some mothers are unfortunately giving birth to children with birth defects that may be connected to taking drugs called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibiters (SSRIs) during early pregnancy.
SSRI birth defects, which include heart problems, spina bifida, club foot, cleft pallet, and others, are causing concerning and leading to litigation filed against the makers of these dangerous drugs.
Complaints of SSRI birth defects have been identified since at least 2005 from women who ingested during early pregnancy, Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil, Prozac, and Wellbutrin while pregnant. SSRI drugs are generally used as anti-depressants or to stop smoking.
A New England Journal of Medicine study found that women who took SSRIs during third trimester were six times more likely to deliver babies born with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) than those who did not take the SSRIs during their third trimester. PPHN is a lung disorder that restricts the arteries and causes blood pressure in the pulmonary artery of the heart to rise beyond control.
Symptoms of PPHN may include the following: heart murmurs, rapid heart rate, bluish skin, low blood oxygen levels, difficulty breathing diagnosing PPHN.
PPHN is a serious birth defect. Even after treatment, infants can be susceptible to heart failure, brain hemorrhage, seizures, kidney failure or organ damage. Some of these birth defects can be present throughout life or even fatal. Some infants who happen to survive PPHN nevertheless have long term breathing difficulties, seizures, developmental delays and hearing loss.
Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil, Prozac, Wellbutrin and Zyban are anti-depressants or smoking sensation drugs that have fallen under close scrutiny for use by expectant mothers. As consumers of prescriptions drugs, our society assumes that pharmaceutical companies test for the safety as well as the effectiveness of prescription medication. Unfortunately, there are and have been several drugs on the market that can cause injury, illness or even death. In these cases, the negligence of a pharmaceutical company may warrant a personal injury lawsuit.
Such a condition may cause surgery, lifetime defects or death.
Getting Legal Help
If your child is born with a birth defect and you had been prescribed Wellbutrin during pregnancy, you may have a claim for compensation. You may be eligible for compensation for the medical expenses for the treatment of your child and also compensation for your mental sufferings.
If you or a loved one took Wellbutrin during early pregnancy and had a child born with a birth defect, this side effect may be associated with Wellbutrin. Members of our firm are currently reviewing potential Wellbutrin lawsuits. If you have a question or have suffered serious side effects, a Wellbutrin lawyer can be reached by email or by calling TOLL FREE 1-800-632-1404.
Members of our firm are attorneys currently representing clients who have taken several prescription drugs and claim injuries associated with those drugs, includingTopamax®, Wellbutrin®, Fosamax®, and Actos®. They and members of the firm also represent clients across the globe pertaining to medical device failures, including theAdvanced Bionics HiRes90k® cochlear implant , the TVM / TVT transvaginal mesh – sling and the DePuy hip implant. For a free case evaluation, please contact:
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