Paxil Lawsuit

Serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRI’s, are commonly prescribed to pregnant women. Paxil, Zoloft and Prozac are all found to have negative side effects that can cause birth defects for the unborn child. These birth defects can potentially be serious. Women who were prescribed Paxil during their pregnancy and whose babies were born with birth defects potentially caused by the medication should make an appointment for a consultation.

PPHN, Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension
Shortly after birth the child’s own circulation system should begin working on its own. With PPHN that system fails to start properly and pulmonary hypertension can result. Estimated to occur in only 2 out of 1000 full-term, live birth pregnancies, this condition can be fatal. Respiratory failure will typically begin shortly after birth as the infant is unable to take that first breath of oxygen. Those infants who do survive face high chances for serious neurological problems are high.

Abdominal Birth Defects
When the abdominal walls do not form properly, the abdominal organs can protrude. It is possible for the intestines, liver and spleen to be located outside of their proper position in the abdominal cavity. It is also possible for the abdominal cavity to be underdeveloped and too small to hold the organs.

Heart Birth Defects
Atrial septal defects (ASD) and ventral septal defects (VSD) are both holes in the walls of the heart’s chambers. Women who were prescribed Paxil during the critical first trimester were found to be twice as likely to have children with this dangerous heart defect.

Cranial Birth Defects
Infants are born with sutures in their skull which allow the head to expand and develop. Paxil has been found to cause one or more sutures to close early, resulting in a skull that is abnormally shaped. The resulting unnatural shape and restriction can cause brain injuries as pressure is put on the growing brain.

Bone Development
Other birth defects linked to the use of Paxil during pregnancy, especially during the critical first trimester, the development of club foot and limb reductions. Limbs may be too long or too large. In other cases the limb may be missing completely or might be incompletely formed. Another possibility is the presence of extra digits on the hands or feet. When one or both feet rotate internally at the ankle, a condition known as club foot, may also develop.

Paxil and the FDA
A safety alert was issued by the FDA in 2005. This alert warned that Paxil could increase the risk of a child being born with PPHN. The Paxil label was adjusted to reflect research showing that unborn children exposed to Paxil during the first trimester of the mother’s pregnancy would face a greater risk of cardiac problems.

Many of these birth defects can range from being minor and easily treatable to being major defects that are potentially life-threatening. Damage to the lungs and heart valves are also possible birth defects for women who take Paxil while pregnant. Since 2005, the FDA has been reviewing studies and issuing warning regarding this medication. If you were prescribed Paxil at any point during your pregnancy, especially during the vital first three months, and your child now has a birth defect please make an appointment for a consultation with a legal professional. Paxil continues to be one of the most hated companies in the world . Check out the most hated people and other most hated categories. The company's Iphone app is also one of the most expensive apps.