Antidepressants Like Zoloft, Lead to Common Side Effects

Zoloft lawyers are reviewing potential claims for children who may be entitled to compensation through a Zoloft birth defect lawsuit as a result of the drug maker’s failure to warn about the risks associated with use of the medication during pregnancy. According to the FDA, SSRI antidepressants, like Zoloft, are among the most commonly prescribed drugs to treat depression during pregnancy. However, there are no adequate and well-controlled studies of SSRIs in pregnant women. In 2006, the “Usage in Pregnancy” section on the labels for SRRI antidepressants was updated with the following warning: “Infants exposed to SSRIs in late pregnancy may have an increased risk for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN).” The labels were modified after a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reported a six-fold increase in PPHN among newborn babies whose mothers were exposed to an SSRI after 20 weeks of gestation.

Despite a number of studies and reports suggesting a potential link between Zoloft and birth defects, the manufacturers have failed to provide sufficient information to pregnant women or women of child-bearing potential, so that steps could be taken to avoid using Zoloft while pregnant. In June 2007, studies found an association between the use of antidepressants like Zoloft early in the pregnancy and a risk of abnormal skull development, gastrointestinal abnormality and brain defects. As a result of the drug makers’ failure to adequately research their medication and warn women or the medical community about the risk of Zoloft birth defect side effects, many children have been left with permanent and potentially life-threatening health problems.

The most common side effects of Zoloft are: Increased sweating, headache, nausea, diarrhea or loose stools, drowsiness, trembling or shaking and sexual problem. In relation to the more severe side effects associated with pregnant mothers and infants, allegations have been raised by parents of many children born with defects or malformations, that the drug makers failed to adequately research the side effects of Zoloft when used during pregnancy and failed to adequately warn women and the medical community about the potential health problems that could be suffered by unborn children exposed to the medication.

Zoloft Lawsuit Over Life-Threatening PPHN

Zoloft is one of the more commonly used medications in the United States, as it is approved to treat a number of relatively common psychological disorders including depression and anxiety. A number of women turned to Zoloft for relief from depression and anxiety symptoms during pregnancy, which can be triggered by an increase or fluctuation in hormones. Some of these women found out too late that Zoloft can have a serious impact on the health of an unborn child, especially when it is taken in the first trimester of pregnancy. One of the most dangerous Zoloft birth defect side effects is the possibility of an unborn child developing Zoloft persistent pulmonary hypertension.

Zoloft Settlements Have Many Factors

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but this has not stopped an increase in Zoloft lawsuits. Through a Zoloft lawsuit, benefits and compensation may be available for families and children who have suffered a birth defect or malformation that may have been prevented if adequate warnings had been provided about the risk of Zoloft problems for babies. Women taking Zoloft during the third trimester may face a six fold increase in the risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). However, the drug maker sold the antidepressant without adequate warnings about the potential risk of PPHN from Zoloft.

Persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborns (PPHN) is a rare birth defect that results in babies being unable to adapt to breathing outside of the womb. They frequently require intensive care and the use of a mechanical ventilator to help them breathe. Severe cases of PPHN can result in multiple organ damage, brain damage and death. Zoloft-induced PPHN can result in circulation problems that may affect a baby’s ability to breathe outside the womb because it makes it difficult for oxygen to reach the bloodstream. A study by the New England Journal of Medicine, conducted in 2006, warned women against the risks associated with Zoloft birth defects by linking the drug to persistent pulmonary hypertension.

The Zoloft birth defect lawsuit seeks unspecified compensatory damages, plus statutory remedies, a disgorgement of profits, pre-judgment interest, costs and other relief the court deems just. Settlements have included damages awarded as compensation due to the extreme pain associated with the emotional distress many parents have suffered. It charges Pfizer with strict products liability, breach of express warranty, negligence, misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, fraud and misrepresentation, fraud by concealment, violation of consumer protection laws and breach of implied warranties against Pfizer. The purpose of the settlements, far from being able to give victims any comfort, is designed to return those who have been affected back to the financial situation they would have had enjoyed had they never been involved with side effects associated with Zoloft.

Zoloft Birth Defects in Review

The Food and Drug Administration warned about Zoloft and other SSRI birth defects risks in November of 2006, and many patients have been concerned about them ever since. Zoloft and other SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) drugs have been linked to a risk of serious birth defects, especially when they are taken in the first trimester of pregnancy. A number of patients who have seen the results of Zoloft birth defects firsthand have decided to consult a Zoloft lawyer and take legal action. 

There are a number of potential birth defects that might occur when a woman takes Zoloft for depression or other psychological conditions during pregnancy. These can include defects that affect a number of necessary systems and organs, including the heart, brain, and abdomen. 

Zoloft Birth Defects: Families Involved in Lawsuits

One of the most tragic side effects of the anti-depressant medication Zoloft is the possibility of birth defects that have been linked to the drug. A number of families have been impacted by these side effects and some have filed lawsuits because of the side effects. The medication can contribute to a risk of birth defects in children, especially when taken by pregnant women in their first trimester of pregnancy. Now, eight families have filed lawsuits in Michigan in a combined lawsuit. All of these families assert that the mother's use of the popular antidepressant during pregnancy has resulted in severe birth defects.

Warnings on Zoloft Birth Defects Softened by FDA

In recent allegations made during Zoloft Lawsuits, plaintiffs have said they took Zoloft because they believed it to be a safe medication for women to ingest while pregnant. Instead, their babies were born with Zoloft Side Effects such as heart defects, neural tube defects, gastroschisis, omphalocele, craniosynostosis, cleft lip, club foot, anal atresia and limb reduction defects, but now the FDA has indicated that conflicting studies make it premature to reach any conclusions. On December 14, the FDA issued a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drug safety communication, indicating that the drug labels will be updated for the entire class of medications, which includes Zoloft. The FDA will update warning labels about the potential link between SSRI antidepressants and PPHN to reflect the new data and conflicting results.

Recent studies had found that women who took Zoloft during pregnancy were more likely to give birth to babies experiencing Zoloft birth defects than women who take other antidepressants or women who do not take any antidepressants during pregnancy. These Zoloft side effects can be life-threatening and include serious health problems such as Zoloft heart defects. Now, many women are investigating filing their own Zoloft lawsuit, alleging the company did not properly warn them about the risks associated with taking the antidepressant during pregnancy. The FDA told doctors that they must weigh for themselves the potential risks and benefits of prescribing an antidepressant from the SSRI family to a pregnant mother, noting that untreated depression can also lead to poor birth outcomes.

More recently, momentum has been building for Zoloft lawsuits over Pfizer’s failure to warn about the risk of birth defects when taken during pregnancy. Plaintiffs have asserted that Pfizer knew or should have known that Zoloft crosses the placenta, which could have important implications for the developing fetus. The complaints accused Pfizer of knowing of the dangers but failing to inform the public. In fact, plaintiffs have alleged that Pfizer marketed Zoloft as the safest anti-depressant on the market for expectant mothers. plaintiffs allege strict products liability, breach of express warranty, negligence, misrepresentation by omission, negligent misrepresentation, fraud and misrepresentation, fraud by concealment, violation of consumer protection laws and breach of implied warranties against Pfizer.

Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension Risk with Zoloft Sited in FDA Studies

Zoloft is approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to treat major depression, social anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults and OCD in 6 to 17 year olds. The popular anti-anxiety drug has also been linked to severe side effects in fetuses of women taking it during pregnancy. Federal health regulators have previously warned that the use of SSRI antidepressants during pregnancy may cause a rare heart and lung birth defect, known as persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborns (PPHN), but now indicate that conflicting studies make it premature to reach any conclusions. A Zoloft lawyer is likely to use statistics found in the 2006 study when seeking a settlement in a Zoloft PPHN lawsuit.

Zoloft and similar drugs, known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressants, operate by raising levels of serotonin, which plays a role in the development of the fetus. A number of studies have linked SSRI antidepressants, including Zoloft, to birth defects. In July 2006, the FDA warned that women who use the antidepressant Zoloft after the 20th week of pregnancy are six times more likely to give birth to a child with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. PPHN is a birth defect that results in newborns being unable to adapt to breathing outside of the womb. They frequently require intensive care and the use of a mechanical ventilator to help them breathe. Severe cases of PPHN can result in multiple organ damage, brain damage and death.

Treatment of PPHN often involves use of a ventilator or providing 100% oxygen to the baby. This helps open the arteries leading to the lungs. In more extreme cases, the newborn’s blood may be fed through a machine which adds oxygen and removes carbon dioxide. Momentum has been building for Zoloft lawsuits over Pfizer’s failure to warn about the risk of birth defects when taken during pregnancy. Potential side effects of Zoloft for unborn children have been reported to occur when the drug is taken as early as the first trimester, a time when many women do not even realize they are pregnant.