Birth Defects from Prozac

Posted by Lawsuit Information on August 4th, 2015

Serious birth defects have been linked to the antidepressant drug Prozac. This drug is given to women for bulimia and obsessive compulsive disorder as well. The drug is made by Janssen Pharmaceuticals which is owned by one of the biggest drug companies in the world Johnson and Johnson. Many women are not aware that their babies birth defects may have been caused by the medication because both them and their doctors were not warned of the serious birth defects they were at risk for when taking this drug during pregnancy

Tragically, there have been many birth defects associated with taking this drug. The birth defects have not been isolated to one part of the body and many times the baby will experience more than one birth defect. These birth defects can require expensive surgeries but are sometimes irreversible. Cleft lip and cleft palate are linked to this drug and this can cause other problems such as hearing loss, malnutrition and ear infections etc.

Other birth defects linked to Prozac include clubfoot, spina bifida, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, transposition of the great arteries, omphalocele, coarctation of the aorta, tetralogy of fallot, craniosynostosis and neural tube defects. More birth defects include persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn and pulmonary stenosis. It can also cause extrusion of the liver, intestines and stomach through a hole in the abdomen. In 2006, the FDA stated antidepressants which are SSRI’s (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) cause serious or life threatening lung problems in newborns.

Persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn also known as PPHN can cause death because the when the blood vessels constrict in the lungs, it puts pressure on the pulmonary artery. It can also cause shortness of breath, fainting, chest pain and fatigue. This condition also often requires a lung transplant. Autism and downs syndrome have also been linked to this drug as birth defects resulting from the mother taking it during pregnancy.

The drug is called fluoxetine and the manufacturer of the drug has been the subject of many lawsuits for illegally marketing drugs as safe, withholding information and criminal behavior. The FDA currently has Prozac labeled as a code C drug which means it has been shown to cause birth defects in animal testing. Because tests cannot ethically be done on fetuses it has been hard to collect data on the drug. Therein lies the inherent problem with putting a drug on the market without knowing how it will pass through the placenta and breast milk. Given that it caused harm in the fetus’s of animals, it is clear there was already a risk that should have been told to pregnant mothers. There are now documented studies that show this drug causes birth defects.

If you or a loved one took Prozac during pregnancy and has been affected by it negatively, you may be eligible for compensation for your medical, financial and emotional losses. A qualified law firm can offer you a free consultation on your case. It is essential that this information is shared among our loved ones so more birth defects can be prevented. It is also important to file complaint reports with the FDA so this drug will be more heavily regulated to keep people safe.

Mother’s struggling with depression, OCD and bulimia can seek holistic alternatives to treat depression such as a healthy diet, lowering stress and practicing yoga and meditation. If you are taking Prozac or another SSRI and become pregnant, notify your doctor immediately so you can find the safest solution. Abruptly stopping an antidepressant can cause emotional problems so be sure to work with a professional.