SSRI Birth Defects  Class Action Lawsuit Claims & Settlements

Millions of Americans suffer from depression, a mental health disorder characterized by a persistently depressed mood that significantly impairs daily life. Though the exact cause of depression isn’t clear, it is believed people with depression have an imbalance of certain chemicals within the brain that regulate mood. SSRI Birth Defects

To treat symptoms of the disorder, physicians often prescribe antidepressant medications, the first of which were developed in the 1950s. Antidepressants help relieve depression symptoms by balancing the brain’s chemicals.

Antidepressants are now among the most-prescribed medications in the United States, third only to pain killers and high cholesterol meds. In 2008, roughly 11 percent of Americans aged 12 and over were taking some form of antidepressant.

There are different types of antidepressant medications and each affects the brain in different ways. The most popular of these drugs are called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, or SSRIs. They were first introduced in the late 1980s and have quickly become the most commonly prescribed antidepressant in the US.

SSRIs work specifically on the neurotransmitter serotonin, a naturally occurring chemical that communicates between brain cells. SSRIs block the re-absorption of serotonin, which helps boost a person’s mood.

SSRIs are often the first choice for healthcare providers when prescribing medication to help ease symptoms of depression. They are considered to be more effective than older generation antidepressants for most people, and were thought to be safer and to cause less serious side effects.

Peer-reviewed studies and real-world patient experience have shown these oft-prescribed medications in fact do cause serious side effects in some people, including birth defects in children exposed to the drugs in the womb and suicidal thoughts in children, teens and young adults.

Types of SSRIs

There are several different types of SSRIs on the market today, each with different chemical compositions.

Prozac, manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Co, was the first SSRI to hit the American market in 1987. It was initially approved to treat depression in adults, but was later approved to treat depression and other mood and mental health disorders in both adults and children.

Shortly after Prozac made its debut, Big Pharma’s Pfizer Inc. introduced Zoloft after gaining FDA approval in 1991. One year later, GlaxoSmithKline (then SmithKline Beecham ) rolled out Paxil in 1992.

By 2003, there were at least seven major SSRIs available from different manufacturers. The following are SSRI antidepressant medications currently on the market, their original manufacturers and FDA approval dates:

  • Prozac (fluoxetine HCl) ¾ Eli Lilly and Co., 1987
  • Sarafem (fluoxetine HCl ¾ Eli Lilly and Co., 1987
  • Zoloft (sertraline HCl) ¾ Pfizer, 1991
  • Paxil (paroxetine HCl) ¾ SmithKline Beecham, 1992
  • Luvox (fluvoxamine maleate) ¾ Solvay, 1994
  • Celexa (citalopram hydrobromide) ¾ Forest Labs, 1998
  • Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate) ¾ Forest Labs, 2002
  • Pexeva (paroxetine mesylate) ¾ Noven Pharmaceuticals, 2003
  • Symbyax (olanzapine + fluoxetine) ¾ Eli Lilly and Co., 2003 (combination of atypical antipsychotic and SSRI)

What do SSRIs treat?

Most SSRIs are approved to treat not only major depressive disorder but also other mood and anxiety disorders. Some are approved to treat these disorders in both children and adults.

Disorders treated by antidepressants include:

  • major depressive disorder (depression)
  • obsessive compulsive disorder
  • panic disorder
  • social anxiety disorder
  • posttraumatic stress disorder
  • premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Not all SSRIs are approved to treat all of the abovementioned disorders. Because SSRIs are made from different chemicals, each drug works differently in individual patients. If one SSRI does not improve symptoms, doctors may prescribe another.

SSRI Risks & Side Effects

Like all drugs, SSRIs may cause side effects in patients that can range from mild to severe.  Despite their different chemical makeups, SSRIs generally cause similar side effects.

Common Side Effects

The most common side effects of SSRIs include:

  • drowsiness
  • nausea
  • dry mouth
  • insomnia
  • diarrhea
  • nervousness, agitation or restlessness
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • blurred vision

Serious Side Effects

SSRIs are known to cause potentially serious side effects in some individuals. Studies in peer-reviewed medical journals, along with reports from patients and their doctors, have demonstrated SSRIs can cause the following serious side effects:

  • sexual problems
    • reduced sexual desire
    • difficulty reaching orgasm
    • inability to maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction)
  • birth defects in children exposed in the womb
    • Tetrology of Fallot
    • hypoplastic left heart
    • hypoplastic right heart
    • spina bifida
    • cleft palate
    • club feet
  • suicidal thoughts in children, teens and young adults, the symptoms of which include:
    • Anxiety
    • Agitation
    • Panic attacks
    • Insomnia
    • Irritability
    • Hostility
    • Aggressiveness
    • Impulsivity
    • Akathisia (a state of agitation, distress and restlessness)
    • Mania
    • Worsening of depression
    • Suicidal ideation

SSRI Birth Defect & Suicide Lawsuits

Studies have linked these popular antidepressant medications to adverse side effects, including birth defects and suicidal thoughts in children, teens and young adults.

Individuals harmed by SSRI antidepressants are seeking financial compensation through SSRI Birth Defect Lawsuits and SSRI Suicide Lawsuits.

Patients who were harmed by an SSRI drug may be able to take legal action against their manufacturers. The manufacturer of Prozac, Eli Lilly and Co., has already settled more than 30 lawsuits related to suicides for $50 million.

If you or a loved one took an SSRI antidepressant and were harmed as a result, contact National Injury Help today by calling 1-800-214-1010, or use the form on the right-hand side of your screen.

 

SSRI Attorney and lawyers for the class action lawsuit forming – possible cash settlements from claims filed for SSRI drugs. Page updated April 10, 2019.