northern california dangerous drug side effects | Northern California Personal Injury Blog

Parents Filing Lawsuits Alleging Zoloft Caused Birth Defects in Children

By Kelly Balamuth on August 13, 2012

Lawsuits are being filed across the U.S. on behalf of children suffering from birth defects as a result of mothers using the antidepressant drug Zoloft during their pregnancy, as reported by RedOrbit.com. Zoloft is a popular antidepressant drug in the group known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI), and the children of women who took the drug while pregnant were born with serious birth defects. The birth defects allegedly caused by this antidepressant include heart defects, such as atrial septal defects, ventricular septal defects, and tetralogy of fallot.

In addition, there is growing evidence that Zoloft, as well as other SSRIs, may possibly cause rare heart and lung disorders when mothers take them during pregnancy, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Users of the drug have also suffered serious withdrawal symptoms when ceasing use, increasing the rates of suicide in adults and children as well as the risk of bone loss for older patients.

Pfizer, Inc., the maker of the drug, has faced a number of lawsuits the last few years, with plaintiffs seeking compensation for injury, pain, suicide, withdrawal symptoms, and other related damages to infants and mothers not warned of the potentially dangerous side effects of the drug before taking it. As a result, warnings with regards to suicide dangers on anti-depressants have been in place, and doctors prescribing medications like Zoloft are aware of the possible risks.

The Berkeley dangerous drugs lawyers of Balamuth Law recognize the severe threat a defective or dangerous drug can have on the health and well-being of a patient. Our knowledgeable legal team is committed to protecting the rights of patients who have been harmed by dangerous drugs and will work tirelessly to ensure the negligent manufacturer is held responsible. To see how we can assist you with your case, please call (888) 254-1234.