Anti-Depressants: The Down Side

Anti-depressants are among the most prescribed drugs in the United States, taken to treat depression as well as other conditions, such as panic disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, and social phobia. Those known as SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are a newer class of psychiatric medications which are associated with serious side effects. Such drugs include Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, Aropax, and Cipramil.

Side effects that have been linked to these drugs include increased risk of suicide, birth defects of infants whose mothers have taken the drugs during pregnancy, serotonin syndrome in those combining the drugs with migraine medications, and an increased risk of bone loss and fractures in older adults. Since May of 2004, antidepressants have carried emphatic warnings concerning the suicidal side effects of these drugs in children and teens. Since then, new evidence has indicated that the risk of suicide may extent to adults as well. Major flaws in the research conducted by the pharmaceutical companies on these drugs have been pointed out by experts.

According to the FDA, use of these drugs increases the possibility of birth defects by six times in infants whose mothers take them during pregnancy. Persistent pulmonary hypertension is a potentially fatal birth defect which may be caused by anti-depressant use. This condition causes abnormalities in the blood flow to the heart and lungs. Serotonin syndrome, caused by a combination of anti-depressants and migraine medications, is also a potentially life-threatening condition which may manifest in symptoms such as rapid changes in blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, hallucinations, and gastrointestinal conditions. Finally, studies have shown that weakened bones in the elderly are linked to the use of these anti-depressants. 60 percent of all anti-depressants sold in the U.S. are SSRIs.

Denver Dangerous Drug Attorney

Being prescribed an anti-depressant which then leads to physical or psychological injury can lead to major hardships for those patients involved. These hardships include medical and out-of-pocket expenses connected with such injuries, loss of wages or future earning capacity, and pain, suffering, and emotional trauma. In such cases, you will need the experienced and competent legal representation of an attorney who has been effective in obtaining the damages you deserve in the wake of such negligence. At Andrus, Hood & Wagstaff, a Denver personal injury attorney has handled such cases and who knows how to get results. The firm has earned national recognition for its work in  dangerous drug cases and offers a free consultation to those who have been adversely affected by such medications.

Contact a Denver dangerous drug lawyer at our firm if you have been harmed through the use of anti-depressants or other dangerous pharmaceuticals today.