Birth Defects Attorney

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has little information about the safety of most prescription medications during pregnancy when they first become available. Although all medications are tested to see if they are safe and effective before they become available to the public, pregnant women usually are not included in these tests because of the possible risks to the unborn baby.

Most warnings about risks to the fetus are developed after a drug has been on the market. That information is gathered primarily by the drug manufacturer, who then has the responsibility to update the warning information. Sadly, these corporations are often more concerned about profit than public safety, and the warnings come too late for some. A TorHoerman Law birth defects attorney can help children born with birth defects caused by prescription drugs achieve justice for their injuries.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Zofran are two prescription drugs reportedly linked to birth defects.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

SSRIs are drugs commonly prescribed to treat depression among other mental illnesses. Celexa, Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac, Effexor, Lexapro, Symbyax, Wellbutrin, and Cymbalta are all types of SSRI prescription medications.

Studies have linked SSRIs to a wide range of birth defects including:

Structural heart defects when taken during the first three months of pregnancy,
Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) when taken during the last half of pregnancy,
Anencephaly – a birth defect that affects the brain and skull,
Craniosynostosis – a birth defect that affects fibrous sutures on the head, and
Omphalocele – a birth defect that affects the abdominal organs.

To learn more about SSRIs, read about the SSRIs lawsuit.

Zofran

Zofran is an anti-nausea medication approved for use for individuals suffering from nausea due to chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. Zofran has been used off-label to treat morning sickness in pregnant women.

When taken in conjunction with SSRI prescription drugs, Serotonin Syndrome, a potentially severe condition, can occur.

To learn more about Zofran, read about the Zofran lawsuit.