The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has for years released warnings about the safety issues surrounding the use of antidepressants such as Zoloft during pregnancy. This has lead to hundreds of lawsuits filed by parents who were advised to take the defective drug in order to treat naturally occurring depression due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, which ended in the children being born with serious birth defects.
Along with the FDA, some major medical journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, Boston University, National Birth Defects Prevention Study of Infants, Aarhus University in Denmark and the Institute of Reproductive Toxicology at the University of Ulm, Germany have all warned that the category of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) like Zoloft can cause serious birth defects.
Experts further say it is unlikely that companies like Pfizer, the producer of Zolfot, will voluntarily recall a drug or even prohibit the use of the drug to pregnant women outside of the United States market. This is because the defective pharmaceutical yields billions of dollars every year for Pfizer, leaving them and their share holders little to no incentive to protect patients and their unborn children.
This has left many Washington State parents with no other choice than to seek legal means to find justice for not only their child, but other victims of this defective drug.
Zoloft Lawsuits
It is estimated that up to 100 million people have taken the drug making Zoloft one of the most popular antidepressant drugs in the world since its release in 1991. This leaves the potential for hundreds of thousands of children being born around the world, including Washington State, with serious birth defects.
Beyond study after study showing a direct correlation to birth defects, many experts believe that Pfizer may have known for years, as long as a decade, that their drug was dangerous to infants when taken during pregnancy, but intentionally covered up the information.
How Do I File A Zoloft Lawsuit In Washington State? These reasons have prompted hundreds of parents to seek justice throughout the United States and Washington State has not been left out of the mix. Washington State Zoloft birth defect victims have sought legal representation from experienced defective drug attorneys like the team at Phillips Law Firm in order to get the compensation they deserve. The process is started by simply contacting Phillips Law Firm and asking to speak with a Zoloft Attorney.
Zoloft Birth Defects
Depression’s effect on the fetus is also an issue that has been brought up. Some studies have shown that it may lead to lower hygiene or eating disorders during pregnancy that can lead to serious health problems in the child such as premature birth, low birth weight, or lowered immune system.
However, as you read the potential birth defects that can happen as a result of taking Zoloft in order to curb the effects of depression, you may choose to treat the depression through alternative means.
Potential Zoloft Birth Defects:
Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN) – This happens when the newborn’s circulation has not made the normal transition from fetal circulation to normal newborn circulation, because pressure in the lungs is increased and this causes distress.
Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) – An atrial septal defect (ASD) is a hole in the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart. Large and long-standing atrial septal defects can damage the heart and lungs. An adult who has had an undetected atrial septal defect for decades may have a shortened life span from heart failure or high blood pressure in the lungs.
Tetralogy of Fallot – This is a problem with the heart’s structure that’s present at birth. Congenital heart defects change the normal flow of blood through the heart.
Transposition of the Great Arteries – Transposition of the great arteries is a rare heart defect present at birth, in which the two main arteries leaving the heart are reversed (transposed).
Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome (HRHS) – This is the underdevelopment of the right sided structures of the heart. These defects cause inadequate blood flow to the lungs and thus, a blue or cyanotic infant.
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome – Hypoplastic left heart syndrome occurs when parts of the left side of the heart do not develop completely.
Treating Depression Without SSRIs
According to multiple sources both from the psychological community and medical community, there are ways to curb the effects of depression. Depression in many pregnant women has been found to be a chemical and hormonal imbalance. This can be first addressed by speaking to your physician about alternatives to prescription drugs. Then review some of these avenues:
- Balanced organic diet
- Exercise
- Individual Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Meditation
- Social Activities
National Zoloft Attorneys
If you have found that you or a loved one has had a child with a birth defect and they were taking Zoloft during pregnancy, they may be entitled to compensation. It is important that you contact legal council that has experience in protecting patients from giant pharmaceutical companies. Call Phillips Law Firm for a consultation on your legal options.