Zoloft , manufactured by Pfizer, has been linked to serious, life-threatening birth defects.
Approved by the FDA in 1991, Zoloft is used by millions of Americans for anxiety and depression. The FDA is strengthening its warning for the antidepressant Zoloft because it may be associated with birth defects, specifically, congenital heart defects, Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN), abdominal and cranial defects.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, LLP is currently accepting Zoloft induced birth defect claims in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has taken Zoloft and their child has developed a congenital heart defect, Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN), abdominal or cranial defect, you should contact our firm immediately for a free case consultation. Please click here to contact our Dangerous Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
What is the problem with Zoloft?
Zoloft is used by millions of Americans to treat depression. More specifically, pregnant women have been prescribed Zoloft to help with anxiety involved with their pregnancy. The fetuses of these women using Zoloft or other SSRI antidepressants such as Paxil, Celexa, Luvox, Lexapro, Prozac, and Symbyax are at a greater risk of developing a birth defect.
The two most common forms of an SSRI antidepressant congenital heart defect are atrial septal defects or ventricular septal defects. Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a form of congenital heart defect that enables blood flow between the left and right atria via the interatrial septum. There is a hole in the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart that allows for this blood flow exchange. Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) is when there is a large opening between the ventricles allowing a large amount of oxygen-rich blood from the heart’s left side through the defect on the right side. It is then pumped back into the lungs, even though it has been oxygenated. This is wasteful, since blood that’s already been to the lungs is returning there, and blood that needs to go to the lungs is being displaced. The heart, which has to pump an extra amount of blood, is overworked and may enlarge.
The results of the study have shown that babies born to mothers who took Zoloft were more likely to develop Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN), than babies born to mothers who did not take Zoloft during pregnancy. PPHN is failure of the normal circulatory transition that occurs after birth. It is a syndrome characterized by marked pulmonary hypertension that causes hypoxemia and right-to-left extrapulmonary shunting of blood. With inadequate pulmonary perfusion, neonates develop refractory hypoxemia, respiratory distress, and acidosis.
SSRI antidepressants like Zoloft may cause two separate congenital abnormalities called Omphalocele and Craniosynostosis . An omphalocele is a congenital (present at birth) abdominal wall birth defect in which the infant’s intestine or other abdominal organs stick out of the belly button (navel). In babies with an omphalocele, the intestines are covered only by a thin layer of tissue and can be easily seen. Craniosynostosis is a congenital (present at birth) defect that causes one or more sutures on a baby’s head to close earlier than normal. Sutures are connections that separate each individual skull bones. The early closing of a suture leads to an abnormally shaped head.
Side Effects of Zoloft
There are a variety of side effects associated with Zoloft. Our firm is pursing the following types of serious, life-threatening side effects:
- Congenital Heart Defects
- Atrial Septal Defect
- Ventricular Septal Defect
- Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN)
- Omphalocele
- Craniosynostosis
Do I Have a Zoloft Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, LLP is currently accepting Zoloft induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by Zoloft, you should contact our firm immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Dangerous Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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