Pregnant Women, Antidepressant Drugs and Birth Defects

If you  are pregnant or know someone who is and are taking antidepressants such as Zoloft, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Celexa, Lexapro or Effexor, you should be aware that these drugs have been linked to birth defects. A study published by The New England Journal of Medicine conclusively stated that infants who were delivered from mothers who took any of the above mentioned drugs during the second half of their pregnancy had increased risk of their baby being born with a birth defect. Investigations on antidepressant side effect cases are ongoing throughout the country.

Related Birth Defects and Difficulties

One of the birth defects includes a condition called Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN), a respiratory disorder which hinders a newborn's ability to breath properly and acquire sufficient oxygen. Low birth weight and premature delivery have also been connected to women taking antidepressants during their third trimester of pregnancy. Having a child who will have to live their life with a birth defect can not only be heartbreaking, but quite expensive long term. The child may have to have special medical assistance for life as a result of a birth defect caused by an antidepressant and this will be a life long burden for the parents and family.

Legal Help is Available

If you or someone you love in the Long Beach or surrounding area has experienced having a child that acquired a birth defect after the mother took antidepressants during pregnancy, you need to contact a  Long Beach personal injury lawyer for advice. Often times the mother is not given sufficient warning from either her doctor or the drug manufacturer and this can be a basis for a personal injury lawsuit. Drug companies were given instructions in 1996 to include warning labels that life threatening birth defects of PPHN can result from these drugs.

At the Law Office of Leonard Matsuk, we have successfully represented clients in many different types of personal injury law cases including defective products. Peoples' lives are far more important than drug company profits and those responsible for harming others should be held accountable. 

Contact a Long Beach defective product attorney in our office for a free consultation and we will review the details of your situation in person.