Prozac® Lawsuit
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If you think you have been harmed by Prozac® or a similar antidepressant, you should consult a qualified attorney about the possibility of filing a Prozac® lawsuit. You might be eligible to obtain compensation.
Prozac® And Birth Defects
Prozac® is known to cause at least two types of birth defects. The more common birth defect is persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN). This life-threatening condition occurs when the lungs do not assume their proper function of oxygenating the baby's blood after birth. The other defect is called atrial septal or ventricular septal defect.
Prozac® and Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN)
A recent article in ObGyn News by Dr. Lee Cohen of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston cites three different outcomes of retrospective studies of women taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the incidence of infants born with PPHN. Prozac® was the first SSRI on the market.
The results varied significantly among the three studies. One study found a six-fold increase in PPHN in the number of babies born to mothers taking an SSRI late in her pregnancy. Another study found a two-fold increase, and a third study found no difference in PPHN among the newborns.
Dr. Cohen said that given the variance in the outcomes of the three studies, the decision to continue an SSRI during the later weeks of pregnancy should be discussed by the patient and her doctor and decided on an individual basis.
Prozac® and Atrial septal and ventricular septal defects
Atrial septal and ventricular septal defects are holes in the membranes of the heart that separate the chambers called the atria or the ventricles. When this occurs, the heart must work much harder to pump the blood around the body.
According to The Times of London, Britain's Medicine's and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) — similar to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — these defects occur in about two of every 100 babies born to mothers taking a drug similar to Prozac®. Both drugs are SSRIs. The MHRA said a class effect of SSRIs on heart formation in utero "could not be excluded" and recommended doctors keep this in mind when prescribing these drugs.
How To File a Lawsuit Against The Makers Of Prozac®
The first step to filing a lawsuit against the makers of Prozac® if you took the drug when you were pregnant and then had a baby born with birth defects is to find a Prozac® lawyer who is qualified to handle these types of cases. Only a qualified Prozac® attorney will be able to help you get the fair and just compensation you are owed. For more information about pursuing a Prozac® lawsuit, contact us today.
