DANGERS OF CIPRALEX IN NEWBORNS
Expectant mothers who take SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) pharmaceuticals during the first trimester of their pregnancy are at a higher risk of giving birth to a newborn with serious breathing issues. SSRI pharmaceuticals such as Cipralex can cause Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in Newborns (PPHN). Was your newborn harmed by these Cipralex side effects? If so The Law Offices of Jason W. Stern & Associates can help you pursue a Cipralex lawsuit to seek compensation for both past and future medical bills.
The basis for Cipralex lawsuits is due to the insufficient warnings from the drug’s manufacturer Lundbeck Canada, to expectant mothers and medical professionals about the link between Cipralex and PPHN. PPHN is a dangerous, sometimes fatal, side effect of Cipralex. If you have questions about this defective drug litigation, our PPHN lawyers would be happy to speak with you.
WHAT IS CIPRALEX?
Cipralex (escitalopram) is an antidepressant medication belonging to a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs keep the brain from absorbing too much serotonin. Cipralex is available in pill or liquid forms.
Additional SSRI pharmaceuticals are sold under numerous brand names including:
• Prozac
• Celex
• Zoloft
• Lexapro
• Luvox
• Effexor
• Remero
Pending lawsuits regarding these SSRI pharmaceuticals are based on their dangerous side effects to newborns.
CIPRALEX SIDE EFFECTS
According to a 2007 report in the New England Journal of Medicine, Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in Newborns (PPHN) is not only one of Cipralex’s side effects but it is also a side effect of these dangerous SSRIs in general. The condition causes poor circulatory/respiratory issues in newborns. Some babies are born with breathing difficulties, but are not being diagnosed with PPHN, but still considered to have been affected by the Cipralex side effects.
A more recent study published this week in the Archives of General Psychology has found a link between these selective serotonin inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants such as Ciprolex and small fetal head growth, as well as preterm birth. The study, conducted by researchers at Sophia Children’s Hospital and Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, is just the latest to provide evidence that using these SSRI antidepressants, such as Prozac, Lexapro, Celexa, Paxil and Zoloft, during pregnancy, can severely impact fetal development.
TREATMENT
Some newborns can be treated to alleviate the immediate symptoms of PPHN and appear normal after the treatment. Unfortunately, every second their organs lacked oxygen could have caused serious damage and/or developmental deficits which may not show up for several months or even years.
FDA WARNING
After the New England Journal of Medicine’s 2007 report, the FDA released a warning stating that ingesting SSRI antidepressants like Cipralex during pregnancy puts newborns at a higher risk for PPHN.
CONTACT JASON W. STERN & ASSOCIATES
In addition to Cipralex lawsuits, this firm also handles other cases, such as mesothelioma, medical malpractice, personal injury, defective medical devices and other pharmaceutical litigation. If you are interested in more information about the other types of lawsuits we handle, please contact us for a free consultation.
The PPHN lawyers at The Law offices of Jason W. Stern & Associates are dedicated to helping families who have infants with Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN), sometimes called “Persistent Fetal Circulation.”