Does Your Child Suffer from a Paxil®-Related Birth Defect?

Paxil®, an anti-depressant manufactured by Glaxo Smith Kline, has been linked to birth defects in newborn babies when taken during the first three months of pregnancy. Paxil® attorneys Morelli Ratner, PC invite expectant mothers, parents of children born with birth defects & those concerned about the side effects of this drug to consult the information contained below and in our guide about Paxil® During Pregnancy. If you suspect your child's birth defect was caused by your prescribed use of the antidepressant drug Paxil®, contact our attorneys today.

Do I Have a Paxil® Lawsuit?

New studies may indicate that Paxil® is a teratogen. Reports suggest that taking Paxil® (paroxetine) during the first trimester of pregnancy may be putting the fetus/embryo at risk for heart defects, in particular atrial and ventricular septal defects. These cardiac malformations are conditions in which the wall between the right and left sides of the heart is not completely developed. While some of these types of defects resolve on their own, others require the baby to undergo surgery to repair the defect. The FDA warned in December 2005 about results of new studies for Paxil® (paroxetine) suggesting that the drug increases the risk for birth defects, specifically heart defects, when women take it during the first three months of pregnancy.

Women who are taking Paxil® and are pregnant or plan to become pregnant are advised to discuss switching to another appropriate medication with their prescribing physicians. Two studies demonstrated that women who took Paxil® during the first trimester were approximately one and a half to two times more likely to have a newborn with a heart defect as either women who took other antidepressants or the general population. Another study has been published that establishes a link between antidepressants taken 20 weeks or later in pregnancy and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, or PPHN. PPHN has adverse effects on babies including abnormal blood flow through the heart and lungs.

Paxil® in the News

Protect Your Family's Rights - Contact Attorneys Morelli Ratner

While Glaxo Smith Kline has updated Paxil®'s label to reflect the findings of these new studies, many are outraged that the drug was not more thoroughly tested before going on the market and being prescribed to pregnant women. There has been a recent upswing in Paxil lawsuits for this very reason. If you took Paxil® (paroxetine, paroxetine hydrochloride, Paxil CR, Pexeva) during pregnancy and your child was born with a heart defect, you have legal rights and are urged to contact our Paxil attorneys today for a free legal consultation. Call 1 (877) 415-3102 or fill out our form at the right.