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Paxil® and Pregnancy

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It would be ideal if women never had to take medications during pregnancy, but this is not always the case. For instance, women with severe depression or other mental conditions face a particularly difficult decision since some antidepressants have been shown to increase the risk of birth defects when taken during pregnancy. Such women may be advised that the benefits of taking an antidepressant during pregnancy outweigh any risks. While this may be partially true, Paxil® is an antidepressant that has great risks for pregnant women and their developing babies.

If you took Paxil® while pregnant and your baby was born with a birth defect, an experienced attorney can determine your eligibility to seek compensation for your losses.

About Paxil®

Paxil® belongs to a class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and is one of the most widely prescribed antidepressants on the market. In recent years, however, studies have linked Paxil® use during pregnancy to an increased risk of certain birth defects.

Consequently, the Food and Drug Administration ordered the maker of Paxil® to update the drug’s labeling to reflect the birth defect risks. The FDA also required the pregnancy category of the drug to be changed from C to D. Category D is a stronger warning that indicates a greater risk to the human fetus, as shown by controlled or observational studies on pregnant women.

Paxil®, Pregnancy & Birth Defects

Various studies have linked Paxil® use during pregnancy to the following birth defects:

• PPHN—a serious and potentially fatal defect. According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Paxil® use after the 20 th week of pregnancy resulted in a sixfold increased risk of PPHN.
• Atrial and ventricular septal defects—In 2005, the FDA warned that two prelimary studies revealed a nearly twofold risk of these heart defects in women who took Paxil® during the first trimester of pregnancy.
• Omphalocele, craniosynostosis and anencephaly—a group of birth defects which a 2007 study showed to be more prevalent in women who took Paxil®, Prozac, Zoloft, or Celexa during pregnancy.

Paxil®, Pregnancy & Your Legal Rights

Women who took Paxil® during pregnancy and delivered a baby with PPHN or other serious birth defect may be entitled to hold the drug’s maker legally responsible for their financial and emotional losses. Recoverable damages may include the cost of medical care, among other things.

To arrange a complimentary consultation with an experienced Paxil® attorney, please click here.

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