Zoloft Birth Defects Cited by Mother in Lawsuit

A lawsuit filed on the 1st of June, 2012, by a mother and father whose child was, they claim, born with birth defects related to the antidepressant Zoloft, was recently introduced in the United States’ District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The plaintiffs claim that drug maker Pfizer knew or should have known about the risks associated with the use of Zoloft by pregnant women, but did not adequately warn patients about the potential side effects in the interest of making more profits from the medication. Zoloft has been linked to a number of serious birth defects, including craniosynostosis, omphalocele, gastrochisis, persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn, hypoplastic left or right heart syndrome, spin bifida, cleft palate, and atrial septal defects. A number of these side effects are long-lasting and will have a significant effect on the child for his or her entire lifetime.

FDA involved in Zoloft side effects

Zoloft is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medication that is used in the treatment of anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, and other related psychiatric illnesses. It is among the most common psychological medications prescribed in the United States. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1992 and has been among the most widely prescribed depression treatments for nearly two decades. Despite clinical trials conducted before the drug was released that showed a connection between use by a mother animal and birth defects in their newborns, the medication was approved and no warning about use during pregnancy was included.

The plaintiff claims that she took Zoloft between 2004 and 2005 at the advice of her doctor; neither she or her physician were aware of the link between use of the medication and Zoloft side effects.

Lawsuits seeking settlements after side effects

Patients who have filed lawsuits are hoping to win a Zoloft settlement that could help cover medical care necessary to deal with the birth defects linked to the medication.

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