Free Legal Consultation

Complete our quick form

(800) 554-4109

Speak to a Lawyer

Blog

Date posted: 8/29/2011

Eleven percent of American women are on antidepressants, such as Paxil. Use by pregnant women has risen a lot, even though Paxil has been linked to birth defects. The unborn babies of women who take it may be at risk of heart malformations, and other birth defects.

The Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine reported that 30 percent of babies with prenatal antidepressant exposure showed symptoms of withdrawal such as tremors, breathing problems, stomach problems, sleep issues, rapid heartbeat, irritability and profuse sweating. But even more worrisome are birth defects.

GlaxoSmithKline makes Paxil. With more than a gesture toward taking responsibility for causing birth defects, Glaxo recently set aside $2.4 billion for legal matters, including money for product liability lawsuits over Paxil, mothers and babies.