Birth Defects Caused by SSRI Antidepressants

Were you advised to begin (or continue) taking a SSRI anti-depressant medication such as Zoloft or Paxil while pregnant?

SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressants such as Lexapro, Paxil, Celexa, Zoloft have been shown to significantly increase the likelihood of serious birth defects when taken during pregnancy. To discuss your case with the Dallas birth injury attorneys at Rasansky Law Firm, call us at (214) 617-1886 for a free consultation.

SSRI medications work by regulating and balancing certain chemicals present within brain synapses. While there is no question that these medications are extremely effective for many, they have unfortunately also been shown to cause shocking and life-changing birth defects when taken by pregnant women.

Medical professionals have a legal duty to adhere to the accepted standard of practice in the medical community, and to act in their patient’s best interests. Failing in this regard by wrongly prescribing a medication known to cause serious birth defects to a pregnant woman’s unborn child may be considered medical malpractice, but it’s important to understand that issues of liability in these types of cases can be quite complex.

Drug injury lawsuits can fall under two categories:

1. Product Liability — Where the pharmaceutical company may be liable for failing to warn consumers (and prescribing doctors) of the risks to unborn children when certain medication is taken during pregnancy, or;
2. Medical Malpractice — If the prescribing doctor should have known not to prescribe a certain medication, or failed to at least advise the patient of the known risks the drug poses to their unborn child.

The Dallas attorneys at Rasansky Law Firm have been handling birth injury cases for nearly 30 years in Texas, and we’re more than happy to look into the facts of your case for no cost. If we feel as though you have a case that we can help with, we’ll advise you of your options moving forward. If you choose to hire us to pursue your claim, we’ll do so on a no-win, no-fee basis. Under no circumstances will you owe us a penny unless (and until) we win your case and put money in your pocket.

Cleft lip birth defects.

Medications such as Effexor and Zoloft are some of the best-selling antidepressants in the market today. Women struggling with depression might be advised not to discontinue their antidepressants while pregnant, however, serotonin has been shown to interfere with the normal development of a fetus.

If a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor is taken during gestation, the bones and tissue of the baby’s upper jaw, nose, and mouth may not fuse correctly, resulting in the child suffering from a cleft palate and/or cleft lip.

Omphalocele other SSRI-related birth defects.

Omphalocele is a tragic birth defect whereby the stomach contents grow outside the baby’s abdominal muscles, leading to their protrusion and exposure to the outside world. This can predispose the child to serious infections as well as a diminished lifespan on account of a poorly-functioning digestive system.

Children born with this condition will likely require multiple corrective surgeries, are often at a higher risk of infection or digestive complications, and may have to carry specialized equipment with them their entire lives.

Here are some of the other side-effects associated with SSRI use during pregnancy:

• Spina bifida
• Large artery transposition
• An enlarged heart
• Craniosynostosis
• Persistent pulmonary hypertension
• Bone malformation
• Neural tube defects

Our attorneys can help your family pursue damages.

If you or a loved one recently gave birth to a child who suffered a birth defect that you believe was caused by the use of an SSRI anti-depressant, we ask that you get in touch with our drug injury attorneys for a free consultation. We can help investigate your claims, answer your questions, and explain the options available to you moving forward for no cost.

Feel free to email us using the contact form on this page, or call us 24 hours a day at (214) 617-1886. We look forward to hearing from you.