Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors or “Antidepressant” Medications
Serotonin is a substance in the brain that is believed to help regulate mood, sleep, and appetite. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a medication designed to increase levels of serotonin in patients who suffer from a wide range of conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. They have also been prescribed to women who are pregnant in order to help stabilize mood and lessen the effects of post-partum depression.
In 1998, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of Prozac (fluoxetine), the first SSRI on the market. Since then, about a dozen different SSRIs have been developed and placed into common use, including Paxil (paroxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), Effexor (venlafaxine), Lexapro (escitalopram), and Celexa (citalopram).
The FDA has received reports of serious birth defects in infants whose mothers took SSRIs during pregnancy. These included congenital heart defects, persistent pulmonary hypertension, and malformations in the lungs, skull, face, limbs, and abdominal wall.
Hundreds of lawsuits against SSRI manufacturers have been filed in courts nationwide.
If you or a loved one have been injured by the use of SSRIs, Zonies Law may be able to help.
Anti-Nausea Medications
Nausea and vomiting are part of pregnancy for many women. Some women experience bouts of “morning sickness” that are mild and pass quickly. Others, however, suffer more severe nausea, including a condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum, in which severe nausea and vomiting can lead to dehydration, weight loss, or electrolyte imbalances.
To help control nausea in pregnancy, doctors may prescribe certain anti-nausea medications. Originally approved by the FDA to treat the nausea associated with cancer treatments or surgeries, Zofran (ondansetron) began to be used widely to treat pregnancy-related nausea after 2006. Currently, no version of ondansetron has been approved by the FDA for use in pregnancy.
We are currently pursuing claims against the manufacturer of Zofran, alleging the company knew as early as 1992 that Zofran presented an “unreasonable risk of harm” to developing fetuses, who could be exposed to the medication as it passed through the placenta.
If you or a loved one has been injured by the use of Zofran, Zonies Law may be able to help.
