Paxil Birth Defects

Paxil and the Link to Birth Defects

As evidence continues to mount regarding the dangers of the antidepressant Paxil – especially to unborn babies – The Driscoll Firm, LLC, is investigating injury claims of birth defects in infants whose mothers took the drug while expecting.

Paxil is a widely-prescribed drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat clinical depression and other psychiatric conditions. The FDA has advised women that it should usually not be taken during pregnancy. Studies have shown that taking Paxil during pregnancy puts unborn babies at risk of defects, including holes in the walls of the chambers of the heart.

In one study that tracked more than 3,500 pregnant women, Paxil was linked to twice as many major birth defects as other antidepressants, according to the FDA.

If you or a loved one thinks you might have suffered injury or loss as a result of using Paxil, contact The Driscoll Firm, LLC You may have a legal right to compensation. Call The Driscoll Firm, LLC, at 314-932-3232 today to speak to an experienced injury attorney about your case.

John H. Driscoll solely represents plaintiffs and focuses his practice on mass torts, consumer class actions, products liability, and personal-injury litigation, mostly involving pharmaceuticals. He resolved a purchaser action against Smith Kline Beecham Corp. involving alleged violations of the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act and the sale of Paxil to minors and adolescents.

Our site contains detailed information about Paxil, including:

FDA Warns Paxil Patients

In 2006, the FDA alerted health care professionals and patients that Paxil increases the risk for birth defects, particularly heart problems, when women take it during the first three months of pregnancy. The agency advised physicians not to prescribe Paxil for women who are planning pregnancy or are in the first trimester unless other treatment options are not appropriate. It recommended that physicians consider discontinuing Paxil for these patients and switching to another antidepressant if indicated.

This agency action came after medical studies demonstrated that women who took Paxil during the first three months of pregnancy were more likely to have a baby with a heart defect as compared to women who received other antidepressants or women in the general population. Most of the reported defects were atrial and ventricular septal defects (holes in the walls of the chambers of the heart).

Another study cited by the FDA showed a link between Paxil and PPHN (Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in Newborns). This rare but serious birth defect can lead to respiratory problems, brain damage, developmental delays and death.

The FDA requested changes to the labeling information for Paxil to include pregnancy precautions and a “Black Box” warning of the pregnancy risks. Black Box warnings are given only when severe side effects are indicated.

Contact an Experienced Paxil Litigation Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one took Paxil during pregnancy, your baby might have been placed at risk of birth defects. You owe it to yourself and your family to know about your legal rights and options. The Driscoll Firm, LLC, can provide this important information. Call 314-932-3232 and speak with an experienced Paxil lawyer with The Driscoll Firm, LLC, today.

The Driscoll Firm, LLC, has represented clients injured by dangerous pharmaceuticals and medical devices for more than a decade. In the last three years alone, we have recovered nearly $140 million in settlements for deserving clients.

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