Phillips Grossman Sues Antidepressant Drug Makers
As evidence continues to mount that some antidepressants can cause birth defects, Phillips Grossman is filing lawsuits on behalf of families whose children were born with defects caused by the drugs.
At issue are the categories of anti-depressant medications referred to as “SSRI” (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and “SNRI” (serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors).
The most well known of the SSRI drugs is Prozac, which was the first to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the 1990s. Other popular SSRI drugs include Celexa, Lexapro, Zoloft and Paxil, among others.
SNRI drugs include Effexor and Cymbalta.
SSRI drugs can help relieve depression by changing the balance of the hormone, serotonin, in the brain, boosting mood. SNRI drugs affect levels of serotonin and norepinephrine.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) more than one in 10 people over age 12 take antidepressants, and the majority of those are women. The issue arises when a pregnant woman takes an SSRI or SNRI drug during pregnancy, which can result in the infant suffering heart, brain, lung and spine defects, including cleft palate, club foot, spina bifida, gastroschisis (abdominal out-pouching) and a life-threatening lung condition known as persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN).
The lawsuits allege the drug manufacturers knew these anti-depressants caused birth defects, yet failed to warn the public and medical community, allowing a generation of children to be born suffering significant birth defects.
Phillips Grossman, PLLC, is a joint venture of Sanders Viener Grossman, LLP, and Phillips Law Firm, PLLC, with offices in Washington, New York, New Jersey, and California, and representing people from all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Phillips Grossman provides national representation for those injured by pharmaceutical drugs and devices. If you or a loved one have been injured by a defective drug or device, please contact the attorneys at Phillips Grossman at 1-800-530-9800 or contact@phillipsgrossman.com for a free consultation.