Ventricular Septal Defect and Paxil
(800) 250-7280
Paxil® is a drug that has been linked to a number of heart defects, including ventricular septal defect (VSD). Paxil® belongs to a family of pharmaceuticals known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI), designed to treat depression.
Studies have shown that infants are at an increased risk of suffering injuries to the heart when their mothers take Paxil® or other SSRIs during pregnancy. VSD, also called a hole in the heart, is a congenital heart disease that can cause other problems. Larger holes in the heart can result in permanent damage to the lungs, heart failure, infection and stroke. These usually only occur if the condition is untreated.
Ventricular Septal Defect Symptoms
When an infant has ventricular septal defects, the signs and symptoms are usually seen during the first few days or weeks of the child’s life. Symptoms can include:
- Rapid heartbeats
- Rapid breathing or shortness of breath
- Weight gain slows or stops
- Loss of appetite
- Fainting
- Cyanosis or a discoloring of the skin, nails and lips
If the hole is small, the symptoms may not appear until later in the child’s life.
Ventricular Septal Defect Causes
Heart defects occur as a result of problems in the heart’s development. In many cases, there may not be a clear or known cause of a child’s hole in the heart. There is evidence, however, that heart defects may be linked to certain medications such as Paxil®. If you are taking Paxil® for depression and find out that you are pregnant, you should talk to your doctor about the risks of birth defects.
A hole may develop in the heart when the muscular wall that separates the heart into left and rights sides (known as the septum) does not form properly and blood overfills the lungs. If left untreated, the heart will be overworked and can result in heart failure and/or damage to the lung arteries.
Compensation May Be Available for Paxil® Heart Defects
If your child is diagnosed with a medical condition and you have a history of taking Paxil® or a similar medication, you may be eligible to seek and recover financial compensation via a Paxil® lawsuit. Compensation may not reverse the damage, but it can help ease the stress of the situation and can ensure your child receives the medical treatment he/she needs.
For more information, contact our Paxil® lawyers by calling 800-250-7280.
