Paxil Heart Defects

Researchers have discovered a link between the use of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant drugs like Paxil during pregnancy and several serious birth defects. Some of the most severe of these are Paxil heart defects.

The most common of these Paxil heart defects are Atrial Septal Defects (ASD) and Ventricular Septal Defects (VSD).  These conditions occur when the heart does not fully develop or develops with holes in the wall of heart chambers. Both ASD and VSD can be very serious and potentially fatal conditions. 

Conditions such as these can require years of treatment and can leave children with physical and emotional scars as they might not experience a normal childhood.  They can also be devastating on a family trying to cope with the medical costs, lost time and earnings that come from treating a birth defect.

Experts fear that due to the popularity of antidepressant drugs like Paxil, millions of children may have suffered Paxil heart defects as mothers were not properly warned of the dangers. Fortunately, legal help is available for those children and families who have been affected.

If you gave birth to a child with a heart defect after taking Paxil, it is important to speak with a lawyer about your legal options as soon as possible.  You may be entitled to a substantial recovery, however, time is limited.

The FDA first warned consumers in 2005 of research suggesting a link between taking SSRI drugs like Paxil during pregnancy and serious heart birth defects.

A study by the Aarhus University in Denmark followed, in which scientists examined records of more than 400,000 children. They discovered that those whose mothers had taken SSRI drugs were more than double as likely to develop a heart defect.

The symptoms of Paxil heart defects can include shortness of breath, a weak pulse, cold hands or feet, rapid or irregular breathing, a bluish tone to the skin (cyanosis) or an erratic heart beat.

No one should file a drug injury lawsuit unless they can show that a defective product caused their loss.  However, a lawyer can explain the research clearly linking this drug to heart defects, and how the maker of Paxil, GlaxoSmithKline, has continued to earn billions selling it despite knowing the dangers.

You and your child should not face the burden of dealing with a serious birth defect alone simply because of the negligence of a large drug company.

Lawyers with the Paxil Litigation Group have filed thousands of defective drug lawsuits and helped those families affected by birth defects from SSRI drugs like Paxil recover millions.

These same lawyers are available today to discuss your legal options and whether your child’s condition qualifies for a lawsuit.

Contact us today for a confidential evaluation of your case.  We are available 24 hours a day to answer your questions and provide help.