Paxil – Congenital Birth Defects
Antidepressant Paxil Causes Congenital Birth Defects Says FDACongenital Birth Defects such as Aortic Stenosis and the Transposition of Great Arteries are among many side effects now associated with Paxil use during pregnancy. Specifically, mothers taking Paxil during the first trimester of pregnancy dramatically increase the risk of congenital birth defects to the fetus. The fetus relies on maternal serotonin for brain, heart, lung, and body development during the first trimester, and Paxil (a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) essentially alters and increases the levels of serotonin to which the fetus is exposed. This chemical imbalance is thought to cause myriad congenital birth defects.
Congenital birth defects can be repaired in less-severe cases, but most defects have some degree of a negative lasting impact on the child’s life. Multiple surgeries, doctor visits, medication, and therapy are often necessary for children born with Paxil congenital birth defects. Thus, families of children harmed by Paxil potentially face a lifetime of financial and emotional strain. Paxil manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline is facing hundreds of lawsuits for the harm they have caused to thousands of children and families.
Paxil
The formula for Paxil was created by a pharmaceutical company in Denmark during the 1970s by a veterinarian named Jorgen Buus-Lassen and was licensed by GlaxoSmithKline (then “SmithKline”) in 1980. Paxil was approved for sale in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration in 1992. In subsequent years, increased suicide risk was linked to Paxil and GlaxoSmithKline began settling wrongful death claims. In July 2006, the first Paxil Congenital Birth Defect lawsuit was filed in Texas (Kilker v. GSK); by December 2006 the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released its warning that Paxil caused congenital birth defects that could affect the heart, lungs, and brain. The FDA has assigned a “Class D” pregnancy warning to Paxil, which means use of the drug during gestation greatly increases the risk for congenital birth defects.
Aortic Stenosis
Aortic Stenosis is a congenital birth defect that prevents the aortic valve from fully opening. The aorta is the primary artery that carries blood from the heart to be circulated through the body. As the heart beats, the aortic valve opens and closes to let blood out. In children born with Aortic Stenosis, however, the valve is unable to fully open and not enough blood is released from the heart. This results as an increase in pressure on the left side of the heart, which manifests as chest pain in the afflicted child. Other symptoms include breathing problems, sweating, and increased risk of irregular heart rhythms, which can sometimes cause sudden death. Treatment for Aortic Stenosis can be accomplished with surgery, but a lifetime of careful monitoring and doctor visits can be expected even after a successful treatment.
Transposition of Great Arteries
The Transposition of Great Arteries congenital birth defect creates two closed loops through which the heart pumps blood. In a healthy heart, the right side of the heart pumps poorly oxygenated blood through the lungs where it is oxygenated. Then, the blood is drawn to the left side of the heart, which pumps the blood throughout the body, distributing the oxygen before returning to the heart and completing the cycle. When the Transposition of Great Arteries occurs, blood is pumped through the lungs in a closed cycle, while the other side of the heart pumps oxygen-deprived blood through the body over and over. This transposition causes affected children to turn blue (cyanosis) and experience shortness of breath, failure to thrive, and other dangerous complications including heart failure and lung damage. Transposition of the Great Arteries is a congenital birth defect that has been linked to Paxil use during pregnancy, and is a risk to the child’s life if left untreated. Fortunately, corrective surgery is possible and necessary within the first few weeks of the child’s life and has a fairly high success rate. Nonetheless, treating a Transposition of Great Arteries is expensive and emotional for families of children with Paxil birth defects.
Paxil Lawsuit Settlement
A Paxil Lawsuit Settlement may be possible for your family if your child was injured by or died from complications associated with congenital birth defects caused by Paxil use during pregnancy. Since the success of the first Paxil congenital birth defect lawsuit filed in 2006, Paxil Lawsuit Settlements have been paid out to hundreds of families. Contact The Stenger Law Firm, LLC for a free case evaluation to determine if your case could possibly receive a Paxil Lawsuit Settlement. Our toll free number is (888) 665-0077. Please provide as much information as possible about your case. If you do not provide adequate case information, including injuries or damages sustained it may take us longer to process your inquiry.
There is no charge for this Paxil evaluation.
