Need Legal Help?
Start Here for a Free Case Review!
Find a Lawyer in Your State
Submit your Prozac claim details for a free, no obligation case review
Get Started:
Prozac Birth Defects
Several studies have shown evidence of a positive link between Prozac and birth defects or complications during the perinatal period. The use of Prozac and other SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) during pregnancy has always been problematic. Healthcare professionals and patients must carefully weigh the risks and benefits of using antidepressant medications during pregnancy. On one hand, untreated depression during pregnancy can have deleterious effects on an unborn child, including premature birth and low birth weight. However, there are also significant risks associated with using these powerful drugs during pregnancy.
Research shows that when mothers use Prozac during pregnancy, the unborn child''s brain is exposed to three-quarters the concentration of the drug the mother ingests. According to one expert, Dr. Zachary Stowe, “If you give a woman an antidepressant during pregnancy, you''re probably giving the child a therapeutic dose of that medicine.” Since there are serious risks posed by Prozac, one would naturally be concerned about the effects of the drug on the baby and the risk of Prozac birth defects.
Prozac birth defects: Withdrawal
There have been numerous reports published since the 1986 approval of Prozac, which provide evidence of Prozac''s neonatal toxicity. Infants with prenatal exposure to Prozac are at a greater risk of suffering Prozac withdrawal, characterized by symptoms like decreased muscle tone, tremor, sedation, agitation, and other adverse symptoms. Typically, these symptoms are resolved within the first few days of life (about 72 hours).
Prozac birth defects: Minor anomalies and poor perinatal adaptation
In 1996, researchers at the University of California, San Diego reported in the New England Journal of Medicine that babies born to women taking Prozac were twice as likely to develop “minor abnormalities.” These researchers also found an increased incidence in perinatal complications in newborns delivered by women who used Prozac during pregnancy. These complications include jitteriness, low muscle tone, and respiratory problems.
Because these Prozac birth defects findings did not match some experts'' clinical experience, this study was repeated in 2001 and subsequently by other clinical experts. The results were the same. Paxil birth defects discovered in these trials included skin lesions, facial droop, and the aforementioned complications.
Prozac birth defects: PPHN
Researchers conducting the Slone Epidemiological Center Birth Defects Study have also found evidence of Prozac birth defects. On February 8, 2006, the New England Journal of Medicine published their report, which indicates that using Prozac during the third trimester of pregnancy can more than double the risk that a child will develop PPHN.
PPHN, or Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn, is a serious and sometimes fatal respiratory condition, which develops within the first few hours or days of a baby''s life. In this condition, the pulmonary arteries remain constricted after birth and the baby''s respiratory system does not properly oxygenate the blood, vital organs, and other tissues. Respiratory failure and significant fetal distress can ensue, requiring extensive medical treatment. Even with solid treatment, ten to twenty percent of all babies with PPHN do not survive. This is arguably the most serious of all Prozac birth defects yet discovered.
Has your child developed PPHN?
If your child has developed PPHN and you used Prozac during the third trimester of pregnancy, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your losses and suffering . Please contact us to speak with an experienced attorney who can evaluate your case free of charge to determine the best way to help you and your family.
Defective Drugs Breaking News
"Teen Aggression Linked to Prozac"
A new study involving juvenile and adult hamsters uncovered some clues as to why young children and teens may experience aggression and even suicidal thoughts when taking the popular antidepressant Prozac.
Researchers compared the behavior bet...
"Parents Sue Online Pharmacy for Wrongful Death"
In one of the first lawsuits of its kind, parents David and Sheila McKay are suing an online pharmacy and physician for negligence and wrongful death after their 19-year-old son killed himself as a result of what they believed to be antidepressant drug...
"Antidepressants May Pose Heightened Risk For Heart Patients"
A recent observational study found commonly used antidepressants like Prozac and Paxil may significantly increase the risk of death in patients with coronary artery disease.
Dr. Lana L. Watkins and her colleagues at Duke University evaluated s...
Other Areas of Drug Recall
- Accutane |
- Acetaminophen |
- Actavis Information |
- Adderall |
- Amiodarone |
- Androstenedione |
- Trasylol - Aprotinin Injection |
- Arava |
- Avandia |
- Baycol |
- Baytril |
- Bextra |
- Botox |
- Byetta |
- Celebrex |
- Cellcept |
- Chantix |
- Cipro Side Effects |
- Cold-Eeze |
- Crestor |
- Defective Drug FAQ |
- Common Defective Drugs |
- Depakote |
- Digitek Drug |
- Drug Company Information |
- Defective Drug Side Effects |
- Duragesic Patch |
- Ephedrine and Metabolife |
- Erythromycin |
- Exjade |
- Fentanyl |
- Fen Phen |
- Fleet Phospho Soda |
- Floxin and Noroxin |
- Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics |
- Fosamax |
- Gadolinium |
- Gardasil |
- Gatifloxacin |
- Geodon |
- Gleevec |
- Heparin |
- Humira and Remicade |
- Hydroxycut |
- Kava Kava |
- Ketek |
- Lariam |
- Levaquin |
- Meridia |
- Naproxen (Aleve) |
- Natrecor |
- Neurontin |
- Nuvaring |
- Ocella Information |
- Oxycontin |
- Palladone |
- Paxil |
- Permax |
- Plavix |
- PPA |
- Procrit |
- Protopic |
- Prozac |
- What is Quinine? |
- Raptiva |
- Reglan |
- Remicade Lawsuit |
- Rezulin |
- Risperdal |
- Ritalin |
- Serevent |
- Seroquel |
- Serzone |
- Tequin |
- Thimerosal |
- Viagra |
- Viga |
- Vioxx |
- Xenical |
- Yaz Birth Control Lawyer |
- Zelnorm |
- Zicam |
- Zoloft |
- Zyprexa |