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Arkansas Effexor Birth Defect Attorney Explores Antidepressant Pregnancy Side Effects

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The stories of “Effexor babies” and their mothers who took to the antidepressant only to endure life-long emotional heartbreak sadden any Arkansas Effexor birth defect attorney evaluating or fighting their lawsuits. Carried away by “safe and secure” claims and money-driven advertisements, these unsuspecting mothers were hardly aware of what could befall on their family following the ingestion of the antidepressant. Over 1,500 adverse events have been reported to the FDA citing congenital heart defects, fatal lung disorders, cranial deformities, death, and other serious Effexor birth defects.

Most Reported Effexor Birth Defect Side Effects

An Effexor birth defect lawyer in Arkansas comes across claims by plaintiffs citing the following major pregnancy side effects caused by the antidepressant:

  • Fatal lung disorder known as persistent pulmonary hypertension
  • Life-threatening heart defects
  • Cranial defects and underdeveloped brain
  • Premature birth
  • Congenital neural-tube, abdominal, skull, septum wall, cardiac, and anus deformities
  • Physical deformities
  • Cleft lip and palate
  • Delay in growth and mental development
  • Intellectual disabilities, including Autism

Warning on Effexor Birth Defect Side Effects

In 2012, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued an Effexor birth defect advisory for expectant mothers asking doctors to avoid prescribing the drug. Effexor antidepressant is placed by the FDA among the category C medications with a caution that it may cause potential birth injuries in children when ingested by pregnant women. The Health Canada has issued a public alert, informing consumers of possible birth defect risks related to use during pregnancy.

There are also many research reports that assist a Arkansas Effexor birth defect attorney to reinforce the claim of parents of Effexor babies in the court. A 2009 report in the British Medical Journal warned of two-time increased risk of heart defects in newborns because of prenatal Effexor side effects. Another report published earlier in the New England Journal of Medicine highlighted a six-time higher risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborns because of Effexor crossing through placenta.

Effexor Baby Experiences

A couple allegedly lost their daughter to an Effexor birth defect side effects within two months of her birth. The mother had a history of family depression, and she was prescribed Effexor to treat her condition. Even she was on the medication when got pregnant as her consulting doctor was not sure if there was any scientific evidence linking Effexor side effects on the fetus. When the mother experienced premature labor, the hospital staff prepared themselves for “an Effexor baby” after discovering that she was on the medication. The couple learned about the hazard of Effexor birth injuries from the staff.

The newborn daughter had many birth defects, including circulatory problems, and she spent most of her two-month life in hospitals. On her last day, she suddenly stopped breathing. Though she was revived by doctors, oxygen deprivation had already damaged her brain to a great extent and she succumbed to the condition.

Another couple has sought an undisclosed amount in damages from Pfizer claiming that its antidepressant medication Pfizer was responsible for causing birth defects in their daughter. The Effexor birth injury lawsuit filed by them in a federal court describes the antidepressant as imperfect and unsafe for pregnant women. According to the lawyer representing the couple, the child was born with serious congenital defects because of the use of Effexor by the mother while she was pregnant. She has undergone several surgeries to treat her severe heart defect and is expected to have more surgeries in the future to keep her heart free from life-threatening problems.

Effexor Lawsuits

Hundreds of plaintiffs have already filed Effexor birth defect lawsuits, alleging that nondisclosure of pregnancy side effects by the manufacturer was responsible for “suffering, disability, disfigurement, impairment of working ability, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment, and need for constant medical care” of their children. While the MDL set up in a Pennsylvania district court is expanding with the filing of new litigations, Effexor birth defect lawyers in Arkansas are busy evaluating potential claims of state residents.

“Failure to warn, design defect, negligence, negligent design, fraud, breach of warranty, gross negligence, and violation of Consumer Sales Practices Acts” form the basis of product liability claims against the drug manufacturer.

If you or your children have suffered from antidepressant birth defects, please call on 1-800-632-1404 to consult an Effexor birth defect attorney in Arkansas today.

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    NOTE: Our team of attorneys will review potential cases for all fifty states, including Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin and Wyoming.

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    Arkansas Effexor Birth Defect Lawsuit: Antidepressant Causes Holes in the Heart of Newborns

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    According to an Effexor lawsuit filed by an Arkansas mother, pregnant women using the antidepressant face the risk of having babies with holes in their hearts. Her claim is not just one of its type, as successive researchers have also underlined the risk of various types of heart deformities associated with Effexor, Pfizer’s blockbuster SNRI antidepressant. The FDA has received over 1,000 Effexor baby complaints (2013 figures), including more than 208 citing heart-related deformities in children.

    Effexor Birth Defect Lawsuit Arkansas

    The plaintiff ingested Effexor during the first three months of her pregnancy. She was unaware of any potential birth defect in her baby to be caused by the antidepressant in the absence of any such warning by the drug manufacturer. However, taking 150gm of daily dose created havoc in her life. Her daughter was born with “a hole in her heart,” commonly known as atrial septal defect, that might lead to life-long cardiovascular complications. The child has been under regular medical supervision ever since her birth.

    The congenital heart defect is detected when deformities allow a gap in the interatrial septum, the wall-like membrane separating the upper chambers. This causes blood to flow between atrial chambers and mixing of oxygen-rich blood with blood not rich with oxygen, as the later does not follow the proper circulatory procedure and sneaks in through the septal hole.

    The gap results in impaired cardiovascular functions, poor blood circulation, and depleted blood oxygen level. Brain and other vital organs may feel the pinch of oxygen deficiency. The Arkansas Effexor birth defect lawsuit seeks past, present, and future medical costs, compensation for suffering, and punitive damages.

    Another woman gave birth to a “zombie-like child without heart beat” after taking the antidepressant for months prior to her delivery. The child was almost died before doctors resurrected and put him under neonatal intensive care. After nine years, even today the child suffers from complications linked to hypoplastic heart, immunity problems, and neurological disorders, says Effexor birth defect attorney representing the Arkansas mother.

    Effexor Birth Defect Research on Heart Problems in Newborn

    Effexor was approved by FDA in 1993. It contains Venlafaxine, a SNRI-class antidepressant. It inhibits serotonin and norepinephrine, two neurotransmitters that control human mood. Doctors widely prescribe the drug to those having obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, depression, and fibromyalgia syndrome. The drug has become one of the most-prescribed antidepressants in the last two decades.

    Effexor Birth Defect Research Studies

    Multiple research reports detailing the association between antidepressant and congenital heart problems have been a great source of education and legal help for parents of children with Effexor birth defects and any Arkansas lawyer representing them. In 2009, findings reported in the British Medical Journal warned of double risk of cardiovascular deformities due to prenatal venlafaxine exposure.

    International researchers have also cautioned against Effexor ingestion by expectant women, as it increases the threat of newborn birth defects by 40% and causes heart deformities with a chance of 60 percent. Septal defect is the most commonly occurring antidepressant heart defect in newborns. A group of Danish researchers has advised pregnant women to discontinue the drug prior to their conception.

    Effexor Birth Heart Defects

    • Hole in the heart caused by septal defects
    • Hypoplastic heart syndrome
    • Ventral defect that also cause hole and impact heart functions
    • Pulmonary stenosis
    • Persistent pulmonary hypertension
    • Aorta deformities
    • Circulatory distress
    • Neonatal cardiac complications
    • Blue baby syndrome
    • Defective heart valves

    These Effexor-linked heart defects lead to blood circulation distress, low blood-oxygen level, heart disorders, blood pressure, life-long complications, and frequent hospitalization. Most of these problems require one or more open-heart surgeries and other surgical interventions. There were reports about how a six-month-old baby had open heart procedures and another undergoing similar surgery twice within five years.

    To know about the process for filing and pursuing Effexor birth defect lawsuit, please call on 1-800-632-1404 or contact our team of Effexor Birth Defect Attorneys in Arkansas.

    For a Free Case Evaluation:

    TOLL FREE: 1-800-632-1404

    EMAIL: click here

    FILL OUT THIS FORM:

      Your Name (required)

      Your Email (required)

      Your Telephone Number

      What year was your child born?

      Where do you live (state)?

      NOTE: Our team of attorneys will review potential cases for all fifty states, including Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin and Wyoming.