Birth Defect Drugs

Sadly, birth defects are a leading cause of newborn deaths in the United States, including in the state of Massachusetts. Defects can be the result of hazards inside the womb during pregnancy. Genetics can also be a factor in birth defects. However, many defects occur because of medication the pregnant woman was taking while the baby was in the womb.

A large majority of women take prescription or over-the-counter drugs while pregnant. Often times these drugs are safe for pregnant women, but there are also some that have proven to be dangerous. Even worse, drug manufacturers have failed to provide sufficient warning. A dangerous drug taken by a woman while carrying a baby in the womb can lead to an increased risk in birth defects.

Three common drugs that have led to birth defects in many newborns are Zoloft, Celexa and Prozac. Have you or a loved one, while in Massachusetts, taken this drug and given birth to a baby with birth defects? A Boston personal injury lawyer can help you determine if you have a legitimate case and if you should file a claim against the drug manufacturer. If there’s a link between the birth defects and the use of the medication, you may be eligible for compensation for pain and suffering, medical costs, lost wages, emotional hardship or even wrongful death of the newborn. Common grounds for proof are relevant medical records and drug recalls by the FDA.

Zoloft, manufactured by Pfizer, is used to treat depression, anxiety and other disorders. It has been linked to birth defects such as:

• Anencephaly
• Club foot
• Craniosynostosis
• Diaphragmatic hernia
• Esophageal atresia
• Gastroschisis
• Heart problems
• Omphalocele
• Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN)
• Spina bifida

Celexa, manufactured by Forest Pharmaceuticals, is used to treat depression. The drug has been linked to birth defects such as:

• Anencephaly
• Atrial septal defect
• Clubfoot
• Craniosynostotis
• Gastroschisis
• Hypoplastic left or right heart syndrome
• Omphalocele
• Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN)
• Pulmonary atresia
• Spina bifida
• Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)
• Ventricular septal defect

Prozac, manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company, is used to treat major depressive disorder, panic disorder, bulimia nervosa (an eating disorder) and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Prozac has been linked to the following birth defects:

• Autism
• Cleft lip or cleft palate
• Clubfoot
• Coarctation of the aorta
• Craniosynostosis
• Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
• Persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn (PPHN)
• Pulmonary stenosis
• Septal defects
• Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)
• Transposition of the great arteries

The conditions connected with the drugs listed above can be devastating for a baby, the mother and the family. When a pregnant woman takes one of these drugs and the manufacturer had not ensured the drug’s safety, the manufacturer needs to be held reliable.

If your family has been affected by birth defect drugs, including Zoloft, Celexa or Prozac, contact a Massachusetts lawyer immediately. The Law Office of Frank Fernandez in Boston can help you determine if you’re eligible to be compensated for medical costs, pain and suffering and other damages related to the use of these medications.