SSRI Antidepressant | Lawsuit, Lawyer | Side Effects: Birth Defects (Skeletal, Neural Tube, Heart, and Limb Birth Defects, Cleft Lip, Cleft Palate), Suicidal Behavior, and Serotonin Syndrome | SSRI Antidepressants: Effexor, Lexapro, Paxil, Prozac, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, and Zyban
Gilman Law LLP, a leading national law firm with over 30 years of experience protecting the rights of victims, is now accepting claims for lawsuits involving side effects such as birth defects, suicidal behavior, and serotonin syndrome associated with the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants (SSRIs), including Effexor, Lexapro, Paxil, Prozac, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, and Zyban.
If you or someone you know has taken an SSRi (Effexor, Lexapro, Paxil, Prozac, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, and Zyban) during pregnancy and the birth child was born with a birth defect, skeletal defect, neural tube defect, heart defect, limb birth defects, cleft lip or cleft palate, or you have developed suicidal behavior, or serotonin syndrome, you may be a victim of a SSRi side effect.
SSRI Side Effects and Symptoms
Birth Defects: Studies have linked the use of SSRI antidepressants in the early months of pregnancy to a number of birth defects, including skeletal, neural tube, heart, and limb birth defects, as well as cleft lip and cleft palate.
Suicidal thoughts and behavior: SSRIs have been linked to worsening signs of depression, including a 6% increase in suicidal thoughts and attempts.
Serotonin Syndrome: Serotonin Syndrome is caused by unsafe levels of the chemical serotonin in the body. Symptoms may include restlessness, hallucinations, loss of coordination, fast heart beat, rapid changes in blood pressure, increased body temperature, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea.
Birth defects associated with SSRIs include:
- Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)
- Plimonary Atresia
- Tricuspic Atresia
- Transposition of the Great Vessels
- Atrial Septal Defect (hole in the heart)
- Ventricliar Septal Defect (hole in the heart)
- Coarctation of the Aorta
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Double Outlet Right Ventricle
- Truncus Arteriosus
- Double Inlet Left Ventricle
- Double Aortic Arch
- Other Congenital Birth Defects related to SSRIs include:
- Persistent Plimonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN)
- Plimonary Stenosis – Lung Defect
- Omphalcele – Abdominal Wall Malformation
- Gastrochesis – Abdominal Wall Malformation
- Craniosynostosis – Cranio-facial Malformation
- Clubfoot – Limb Malformation
- Cleft Lip, Cleft Palate
- Spina Bifida and other Neural Tube Defects
FDA Warnings for SSRIs and Birth Defects
In 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned that studies have shown that infants born to women who had first trimester Paxil exposure had an increased risk of cardiovascular malformations, primarily ventricular and atrial septal defects (VSDs and ASDs). A year later, the agency warned that children born to women who took SSRIs late in the third trimester (after their 20th week) were more likely to develop persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) PPHN – breathing and lung problems.
Several studies have also pointed to an association between SSRIs and birth defects. For example, a 1996 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that women taking Prozac during pregnancy were two times as likely to deliver a baby with three or more “minor abnormalities” and poorer than average neonatal adaptation. In 2005, a Danish study showed that infants exposed to SSRIs during the first trimester of pregnancy had a 60% higher probability of developing congenital heart defects when compared with infants whose mothers did not take the drugs.
FDA Warnings for SSRIs and Suicide
In 2004, the FDA called for a “black-box” warning about suicide risk in children using SSRIs. Two years later, the FDA recommended that the warning also apply to people from age 18 to 25 who take the drugs.
SSRIs and Serotonin Syndrome
Serotonin Syndrome, also referred to as hyperserotonemia or serotonergic syndrome, is a serious and potentially life threatening condition that occurs when the body’s level of serotonin is too high. In July 2006, the FDA warned that people who took SSRIs in combination with either triptans or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) could be at risk for this condition.
What are SSRI Antidepressants?
SSRIs, including Effexor, Lexapro, Paxil, Prozac, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, and Zyban, are meant to better utilize the neurotransmitter serotonin and to improve the metabolic processing of stress hormones, thus easing one’s symptoms of depression and anxiety. Though SSRIs were intended to treat depression, they are sometimes used off label for social anxiety, panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, eating disorders and irritable bowel syndrome.
Legal Help for Victims of SSRI Side Effects
If you or someone you know suffered birth defects, suicidal behavior or Serotonin Syndrome following use of Lexapro, Paxil, Prozac, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Zyban, or another antidepressant, Gilman Law is here to help. For a free evaluation of your case, please fill out the online form on the left or call Toll Free at 1-888-252-0048.
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