Pfizer’s best-selling antidepressant Zoloft has been linked to a number of dangerous heart, lung and cranial birth defects in babies born to mothers who took the drug during pregnancy. Specific congenital defects associated with Zoloft include hypoplastic left and right heart syndrome, tetralogy of fallot, transposition of the arteries, omphalocele and craniosynostosis. Our Zoloft Birth Defects Lawyers are currently accepting potential lawsuits nationwide on behalf of families injured by Zoloft.

Zoloft Birth Defects Lawsuit Review:If you or somebody you know has a child that has been diagnosed with a birth defect related to Zoloft, you should contact our lawyers immediately. Consultations are always free. Please use our confidential email contact form or call toll free 24 hrs/day by dialing (866) 223-3784.

Which birth defects are linked to Zoloft?

The public has recently become aware that Zoloft has been associated with a number of extremely serious birth defects. The exact correlation between Zoloft and birth defects is currently unknown, however the risk of developing any of the following complications should be assessed by both doctor and patient prior to being prescribed. The following is a list of birth defects that are currently being evaluated for potential Zoloft lawsuits:

Zoloft Heart Defects

Two of the most common forms of Zoloft-induced heart birth defects reported to the FDA include:

  • Atrial Septal Defects (ASD) – An ASD is a hole in the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart. Smaller atrial septal defects may close on their own during infancy or early childhood. The health effects of holes that remain open often don’t show up until adulthood – usually by age 40. Many people don’t realize they have an ASD until then.
  • Ventricular Septal Defects (VSD) – Occur when there is an opening between the ventricles, allowing a large amount of oxygen-rich blood from the heart’s left side through the defect on the right side. The blood is then pumped back into the lungs, even though it has been oxygenated. The heart, which has to pump an extra amount of blood, is overworked and may enlarge.

Zoloft & Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN)

PPHN is characterized by an infant’s arteries to the lungs remaining closed after birth, constricting the amount of blood flow to the lungs and therefore oxygen into the bloodstream. Babies born with PPHN are usually full-term or near-term infants who are born without associated congenital defects, yet present after birth with severe respiratory failure. Signs and symptoms of Zoloft-induced PPHN include (but are not limited to):

  • rapid breathing (tachypnea)
  • rapid heart rate
  • respiratory distress
  • flaring nostrils
  • grunting
  • bluish tint to skin (cyanosis)
  • abnormal heart sound (heart murmur)
  • low oxygen levels – a baby with PPHN may continue to have low oxygen levels in their blood, even while receiving 100 percent oxygen.

 

Zoloft Overview

Manufactured and marketed by Pfizer, Inc., Zoloft is an FDA-approved antidepressant that belongs to a class of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Zoloft is designed to affect chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause a number of serious mental conditions. Zoloft is approved to treat the following conditions:

  • depression
  • obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • panic disorder
  • post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
  • social anxiety disorder (social phobia)

How Does Zoloft Work?

As a message travels from the brain to the body down a nerve, it causes the end of the cell to release a neurotransmitter called serotonin. The serotonin enters the gap between the first nerve cell and the one next to it. When a sufficient amount of the neurotransmitter reaches the second nerve cell, it activates receptors on the cell and the message continues along its path. The previous cell then quickly absorbs any serotonin that remains in the gap between the cells, a process known as ‘reuptake.’

In people with normal brain chemical levels, this process goes off without a hitch. However, when the levels of serotonin become unbalanced, it can result in a variety of conditions including depression and panic disorder. Zoloft is designed to block the reuptake of serotonin so more of the neurotransmitter remains in the space between the cells. This gives the serotonin a better chance of activating the receptors on the next cell.

Zoloft is currently classified as a Pregnancy Category C drug, meaning that animal reproduction studies have indicated an increased risk of adverse events and should only be used if the potential benefits outweigh the risks. However, many in the medical community believe Zoloft should be reclassified into Pregnancy Category D, which means risk to the unborn fetus has been demonstrated.

Baby Born With Zoloft Birth Defects? Contact Us Today.

If you or someone you love took Zoloft during pregnancy and gave birth to a child with any of the congenital defects mentioned in this article, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact us today for your free Zoloft birth defects lawsuit case evaluation. All cases are taken on a contingency fee basis, which means that there are never any fees or expenses unless we achieve a favorable outcome in your case.

Is there a time limit in filing a Zoloft birth defects lawsuit?

Although we encourage all our potential clients to take great care in selecting their Zoloft lawyer, it is important that you understand that time is of the essence. The applicable statute of limitations in your state may time bar your claim. Furthermore, we are unable to provide you with legal advice without first evaluating your potential case. Accordingly, please take the time now to contact us by using the confidential email contact form below or by calling us toll free 24 hrs/day by dialing (866) 223-3784.

We hope we will be able to assist you with your potential Zoloft birth defects lawsuit and look forward to speaking with you.

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