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Zoloft Birth Defect Lawsuits

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Austin Kirk

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Use of the SSRI antidepressant Zoloft during pregnancy was linked to an increased risk of serious and potentially life-threatening health problems for babies, including a risk of heart defects, persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborns (PPHN), lung defects, abdominal defects, cranial defects and other malformations.

ZOLOFT LAWSUIT STATUS: Lawyers reviewed claims for children who may be entitled to compensation through a Zoloft birth defect lawsuit as a result of the drug maker’s failure to warn about the risks associated with use of the medication during pregnancy.

AboutLawsuits.com is no longer reviewing new claims involving Zoloft side effects. This page is maintained for informational purposes only.

Zoloft Lawsuits

OVERVIEW: Zoloft (sertraline) is manufactured by Pfizer, but generic Zoloft is available from a number of drug makers. The medication is a second generation antidepressant, known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which is the same class of drugs as Paxil.

According to allegations raised by parents of many children born with defects or malformations, the drug makers failed to adequately research the side effects of Zoloft when used during pregnancy and failed to adequately warn women and the medical community about the potential health problems that could be suffered by unborn children exposed to the medication.

ZOLOFT BIRTH DEFECT PROBLEMS: Despite a number of studies and reports suggesting a potential link between Zoloft and birth defects, the manufacturers have failed to provide sufficient information to pregnant women or women of child-bearing potential, so that steps could be taken to avoid using Zoloft while pregnant.

In November 2006, the FDA added warnings about a potential risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborns (PPHN) from Zoloft and other newer antidepressants when taken after the 20th week of pregnancy. The side effects of Zoloft and other similar medications were linked to a six times greater risk of PPHN.

In June 2007, studies found an association between the use of antidepressants like Zoloft early in the pregnancy and a risk of abnormal skull development, gastrointestinal abnormality and brain defects.

In September 2009, a study published in the British Medical Journal found that SSRI antidepressants like Zoloft increase the risk of heart defects when taken during the first trimester, a time when many women do not even know they are pregnant.

Potential Zoloft birth defects could include:

  • Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in Newborns (PPHN)
  • Ventrical Septal Defect (VSD)
  • Atrial Septal Defect
  • Tetralology of the Fallot
  • Transposition of the Great Arteries
  • Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
  • Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome
  • Patent Ductus Arteriosus
  • Bicuspid Aortic Valve
  • Tricuspid Stensosi
  • Cleft Mitral Valve
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Craniosynostosis
  • Neural Tube Defect
  • Anencephaly
  • Gastrointestinal Defect
  • Omphalocele
  • Spina Bifida
  • Limb Defects
  • Club Foot
Tags: Antidepressant, Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension, PPHN, Zoloft, Zoloft Birth Defect
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3 Comments

Dannie
Yes i do believe after i read precautions of antidepressant zoloft from superdrugsaver.com that we should be aware that sertraline may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. And Inform to doctor if you are pregnant plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking sertraline call the doctor. If we serious about this then i dont think that would zoloft birth defects.
GENIVA
I filed a claim for review 3 years ago and still to this I’m waiting to here something back. My little girl was born with the very Rare form of Craniosynostosis. This type of deformation is one so rare that most doctors and hospital have never had to deal with it or even seen it. I have provided the lawyer with everything possible linking Paxil as the cause. My medical records show I was prescribed paxil during pregnancy, medical records of her being born with a severe cranial deformation, unknown cause at that time GKS withheld that infomation from being reported to anyone including the fda and the cdc, my pharmacy records show dates and times that I filled the paxil, the lawyer has all her medical records from every doctor she ever went to, they even have the therapy records of over 6 different specialest that had to work with her because of paxil, no other known cause what so ever, CT scans, brain specialist ect…I have tried to contact them with no reply. I don’t know what I should or need to do at this point. All I know is my little girl is 5 and ask me everyday, mommy why can’t you put my hair up, why does it hurt so bad when you try to, why can’t I straighten my right were its not sideways, why is one side of my head flat and the other side have a big knott, why does my head look like this and feel like this, it’s ok, she says, but not the hurting part, it gets so bad mommy all I want to do is scream, go to sleep and I wish I didn’t have to get up when it does hurt I wish I could just say sleeping…I want GSK to pay for what they did to her but most of all I want them to look in her eyes when she’s asking those question and tell her exactly why. I just don’t know what to do now, any suggestions.
Frieda
I think it’s a travesty that Zoloft and other antidepressants cause all these genetic defects in children, and that the FDA allowed all this to happen. We and our children must live with these defects for the rest of our lives, never mind that the FDA nor these drug companies show no remorse for the harm done to children and families!!

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