Lexapro Class Action Lawsuit Claims & Settlements for PPHN victims
When people suffer from depression or a condition that is known as General Anxiety Disorder or GAP, they are often unsure of how they can obtain help. Some people may not even fully realize that they are not well and therefore their conditions persist. Those who do manage to get help, though, have many more options available to them today than they would have had 25 years ago. One of the biggest reasons for this increase in options is the introduction of several types of medications onto the marketplace. These medications can help to manage the symptoms associated with depression and General Anxiety Disorder.
One of the leading medications designed to deal with these health problems is known as Lexapro. Lexapro hit the market soon after the turn of the 21st Century and it was immediately seen as a viable alternative to other antidepressant medications that some thought were harmful. Forest Laboratories manufactures Lexapro and the company enjoyed much in the way of revenue increases because of this specific medication. In short, Lexapro was seen by many as a success story.
Lexapro Warnings
Lexapro has a black box warning due to an increased risk of suicide. Adolescents, teens, and adults younger than 24 who have taken Lexapro for major depressive disorder may be at a risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
In 2014, research published revealed there’s a possible link between prenatal exposure to SSRI’s and autism spectrum disorders and developmental delays. The study found that the risk for these conditions is much higher for newborns whose mothers took an SSRI early in pregnancy. Lexapro is in the FDA’s Pregnancy Category C, which means that harm to a developing fetus cannot be ruled out. Lexapro can past into the breast milk, so the drug should not be used by breastfeeding women.
Lexapro and Weight Gain
Like several antidepressants, Lexapro has been associated with weight gain. This could be due to lack of exercise, fluid retention, increased appetite, or other factors.
Lexapro – How It Works
Lexapro is a member of a group of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. The reason that there are so many drugs that are somewhat similar is because one of the causes of depression and GAP that is common is the imbalance of certain substances in the brain such as serotonin that can lead to moodiness, sadness and in some cases depression and GAP. SSRIs including Lexapro help to regulate these substances in the brain so that outlooks on life improve and patients begin to feel more in control of their feelings.
Lexapro Side Effects
Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before reports of alleged Lexapro side effects began to emerge from different consumers across the country. Of particular concern was the potential for children who were born of mothers who had used Lexapro during the late stages of pregnancy to be diagnosed with an otherwise rare condition known as Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension, or PPHN. PPHN is a disease that affects the respiratory system and it can be fatal. This is also a side effect that has been linked with other SSRIs.
Lexapro was also linked to another alleged side effect that is known as serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome can result from the use of Lexapro and migraine medications simultaneously, as the two can mix together and lead to this potentially fatal condition. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include:
- Loss of coordination
- Hallucinations
- Restlessness
- Irregular heartbeat
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Coma
- Elevated body temperature
There are other symptoms associated with serotonin syndrome, but if you have used Lexapro while taking migraine medication and you’ve experienced anything out of the ordinary, you need to seek immediate medical help.
Lexapro Lawsuit
Recently, a particular Lexapro lawsuit has been in the front page news. In California, a federal judge put a hold on a lawsuit from the plaintiff, Laura Wenke, who claimed that taking Lexapro gave her the “irresistible urge” to stab her husband. Lexapro has links to causing suicidal thoughts and violent behavior, so this claim is not far-fetched. Although a federal judge did grant the manufacturer’s motion to sty Wenke’s lawsuit, the company is in for some heat.
Questions & Answers About Lexapro
What is Lexapro used for?
Lexapro is an antidepressant designed to treat depression and anxiety. When taken by pregnant women, it can cause serious birth defects to their children.
What are the side effects of taking Lexapro?
The FDA has Lexapro listed as a Category C drug for pregnancy, meaning that animal studies have shown it to have an adverse effect on the fetus. According to the FDA, pregnant or nursing mothers should not take Lexapro unless the benefits outweigh the risks.
Researchers have found that Lexapro may increase the risk of infant heart defects like pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. This disorder can be fatal to newborns, and the babies that survive face disabilities as they grow older such as cerebral palsy, seizures, and hearing loss. Lexapro is also associated with club foot, cleft lip/palate, respiratory distress, and infant neural tube defects.
Another serious side effects of taking Lexapro is the unfortunate circumstance of suicidal thoughts. The drug carries a black box warning for suicidal thoughts and tendencies. While taking Lexapro, patients have been known to become suicidal, primarily in the first weeks of treatment. The risk is so high that the FDA issued a special warning for patients up to age 25, and the risk is even greater for patients with bipolar disorder, or a history of bipolar disorder in their family.
Why are people suing Lexapro?
People are filing claims against the manufacturer of Lexapro for allegedly failing to provide adequate warnings about the increased risks of birth defects while taking the drug. The high emotional and financial costs of dealing with the injuries from Lexapro can be devastating for a family, and it’s likely that patients can be compensated.
If it turns out that you have been harmed because of your use of this medication, you will also need to obtain legal help. The Lexapro side effects lawyers at National Injury Help has been holding corporations accountable for the harm they have done for decades. Contact the firm today to schedule a free initial consultation.
Lexapro Lawsuits in these States:
Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Hawaii (HI), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), North Dakota (ND), Ohio(OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Utah (UT), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VI), Washington (WA), Washington DC (DC), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI), Wyoming (WY)
Lexapro Lawsuit for PPHN Class Action Lawsuit Attorney page updated April 10, 2019
