PAXIL - Drug Alert
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Since 2005 information has emerged that the drug Paxil may cause birth defects. These birth Defects can include cardiac or heart issues, pulmonary or lung problems, neural-tube defects, brain and spinal cord issues, craniosynostosis or abnormally shaped skull issues, infant omphalocele or abdominal wall defect issues, club foot - where one or both feet turn downward and inward and anal atresia - where the child is bord with complete or partial closure of the anus.
These defects have now been linked with Paxil as well as other anti-depressants. The others include the drugs Celexa, Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Symbyax and Zoloft.
In July 2006 the FDA issued a warning about the increased risk of Neonatal Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN) by mothers taking SSRI antidepressants such as Celexa (citalopram), Fluvoxamine, Lexapro (escitalopram), Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine, Symbyax (olanzapine and fluoxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline). If a family member suffers from any of the above referenced medical issues call our office. It is important to understand that if you took or have taken Celexa (citalopram), Fluvoxamine, Lexapro (escitalopram), Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine, Symbyax (olanzapine and fluoxetine) or Zoloft (sertraline) - a claim may be available for your childs losses.
The FDA issued a Public Health Advisory for Paxil on December 8, 2005. The Advistory was based on a United States and Swedish Studies showing that exposure to Paxil in the first trimester of pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of heart birth defects.
Most of the cardiac defects were observed occured in atrial or ventricular septal defects, conditions in which the wall between the right and left sides of the heart is not completely developed. In general, septal defects are one of the most common type of congenital malformations.
Our Law Firm can represent you and your family if your child was born with a heart birth defect or the mother now suffers from PPHN. Anyone in need of an antidepressant birth defect lawyer or anyone interested in filing an antidepressant birth defect lawsuit or class action lawsuit should call our Law Firm. Call us at 1-800-862-1260.
Abdominal Birth Defects: GSK - GlaxoSmithKline, maker of Paxil, sent a letter to doctors advising them of a Paxil label change that, according to data obtained from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study of infants, women who took an SSRI-antidepressant were more likely than those who were not exposed to have an infant with omphalocele.
Cranial Birth Defects: GSK - GlaxoSmithKline included in the letter that the authors of the above study also found an association of exposure to any SSRI-antidepressant and giving birth to an infant with craniosynostosis (a congenital defect-present at birth. The connections between sutures-skull bones , prematurely close during the first year of life, which causes an abnormally shaped skull.)
PPHN: Persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) is a serious and life-threatening lung condition that occurs soon after birth of the newborn. Babies with PPHN have high pressure in their lung blood vessels and are not able to get enough oxygen into their bloodstream. About 1 to 2 babies per 1000 babies born in the U.S. develop PPHN shortly after birth, and often they need intensive medical care.
Our Law Firm can also assist investigating the possible link between Paxil and birth defects:
- Neural Tube Defects: Neural tube defects (or NTDs) are birth defects of the brain and spinal cord. The two most common neural tube defects are spina bifida and anencephaly. In spina bifida, the fetal spinal column doesn't close completely during the first month of pregnancy. There is usually nerve damage that causes at least some paralysis of the legs. In anencephaly, much of the brain does not develop. Babies with anencephaly are either stillborn or die shortly after birth. Source: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- Anal Atresia: Also called Imperforate anus, anal atresia is a congenital malformation in which the normal perforation we call the anus, is absent. The end of the intestinal tract has not perforated the skin in the perineal area. Atresia is the absence of a normal opening or failure of a structure to be tubular. We are investigating whether or not there is an association between SSRIs and anal atresia.
- Club Foot: A recent study conducted by the Institute of Reproductive Toxicology at the University of Ulm, Germany and a recent study from the Slone Epidemiology Center at Boston University found that some women who took SSRIs throughout their pregnancy had children born with club feet. True Club foot is a malformation. The bones, joints, muscles, and blood vessels of the limb are abnormal. An infant with club foot has a foot that is inturned, stiff and cannot be brought to a normal position.