What is Zoloft (Sertraline)?
Zoloft is an Antidepressant drug that falls under the category of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI). SSRIs are widely prescribed to women who are experiencing depression during pregnancy SSRIs work by modifying the balance of serotonin (neurotransmitter) in the brain which helps lift up mood. The use of generic drugs like Sertraline which come under the brand name of Zoloft is not without any harmful side effects. They are known to cause a number of serious birth defects. Therefore it is advisable to talk to your physician about the types and likelihood of birth defects if you are taking antidepressant drugs like Zoloft during pregnancy.
Birth Defects caused by Zoloft:
Respiratory distress Syndrome
Women who take Zoloft during pregnancy may give birth to premature babies who experience breathing difficulties since their lungs remain underdeveloped. Some mothers who take SSRIs during the third trimester may develop a condition called Neonatal Adaptation Syndrome (NAS). Respiratory distress syndrome has also been reported as a symptom of NAS.
Heart Defects
Heart defects mainly occur in the form of holes in the heart which hamper blood circulation. It includes heart septal defects; atrial septal defects (ASD) and ventricular septal defects (VSD). A study linking the use of SSRIs and birth heart defects published in the American Journal of Nursing January 2010 – Volume 110 – Issue 1 fount that newborns of mother that had used Zoloft along with Celexa, another SSRI drug, faced a greater risk of developing septal defects in the heart.
Anencephaly
It is a very severe birth defect that results in parts of the brain missing in newborns. According to research published in the June 2007 issue of The New England journal of Medicine, a significant association was observed in women using SSRIs such as Zoloft and Anencephaly.
Cleft lip and Palate
Some women who take Zoloft during pregnancy may give birth to children with abnormally formed facial structures. These deformities are usually seen on the lip and mouth and adversely affect the child’s breathing, feeding and speech development.
Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN)
In July 2006, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about the use of SSRIs like Zoloft and the chances of developing a rare heart and lung condition called Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN). Newborn babies suffering from PPHN are unable to adapt to breathing outside the womb and may have to spend time in the ventilator for intensive care. If PPHN is of a severe form, it may result in multiple organ damage including brain damage and even death (in very severe cases).
A study conducted by Chambers et al. in 2006 reported that women who took SSRIs after the 20th week of pregnancy were more likely to give birth to children who experienced a six times higher risk of developing PPHN. In another study by Källén, et al, it was found that if a drug like Zoloft is used in the first trimester of pregnancy, the likelihood of the newborn developing PPHN would go up. Interestingly, the study by Andrade et al conducted in 2009 could not find any association between SSRI exposure during the third trimester of pregnancy and the risk of the newborn having PPHN.
In December 2011, FDA revised its safety warning. More recent studies were reviewed which reported conflicting findings. Therefore it was concluded that a final decision cannot be reached about the use of SSRI and its link in the occurrence of PPHN.
Are you entitled to compensation?
If your child is born with a birth defect that has been caused due to the use of Zoloft, you will typically be eligible to file a lawsuit against the drug manufacturers and claim compensation for the expenses incurred during treatment. You should therefore discuss your options with a lawyer who particularly handles Zoloft birth defect lawsuits.
For additional information, especially relevant to your own case, please fill out the form on this page.
Q:Can you tell me about the zoloft birth defects lawsuit?
A:If you have been a Zoloft user and have fallen prey to its side effects , you can file a lawsuit against Pfizer its manufacturer. Since a successful Zoloft lawsuit may get you enough money in compensation for your sufferings, to not only make better medical care accessible but also encourage others to understand the issue and seek help.
Q:What is the reasoning behind zoloft lawsuits?
A:Zoloft is an antidepressant from the sertraline family, which is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or SSRI. Zoloft is prescribed for treating premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder or depression. However, recently it has come to light that Zoloft, causes severe birth defects in babies born to Zoloft users. Pfizer's inability to inform patients of these side effects is why the Lawsuits against Zoloft started.
Q:Before I file a lawsuit against Zoloft, can you tell me about the birth defects this drug has been linked to?
A:Although Zoloft has been a very popular anti-depressant; there have been a rise in the number of birth defects caused by side effects of this drug. The different defects that have been linked to the consumption of Zoloft include PPHN (Persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn), ASD (Artial Septal Defect), Tetralogy of Fallot, Hypoplastic left hearted syndrome, and hypoplastic right hearted syndrome.
Q:How can I file a lawsuit for Zoloft side effects?
A:The drug is known to have caused serious harm like birth defects and psychological side effects which has provoked many to file a lawsuit for Zoloft. If you have been affected by the drug and were not warned by the manufacturers about its potential side effects, you can file a lawsuit and seek damages. To know if you have grounds for a case, consult a lawyer and gather the evidence like medical and pharmacy records that can prove your claim for damages.
Q:What accounts for a successful lawsuit Zoloft?
A:Zoloft too is from the family of drugs who have caused more harm then good and are presently at the receiving end of numerous lawsuits. Successfully pursuing such drugs and their manufacturers not only wins compensation for the users/victims of such malpractice, but also creates awareness among other silent suffers to speak out and demand justice.
Q:Are the birth defect lawsuits against Zoloft based on the fact that Pfizer withheld information?
A:The basis of the lawsuits against the drug manufacturer is that it did not take adequate measures to warn the consumers about the side effects of the medicine. If this is proved in a court of law, the plaintiffs are eligible to receive monetary compensation and damages from the drug company.
Q:Is it true that one can file a Zoloft and pregnancy lawsuit? I thought that Zoloft was a very safe drug used as an anti-depressant.
A:Zoloft was introduced by the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer in 1991 and since then has been prescribed to people with chronic depression like candy. However, Zoloft adversely affects brain chemistry as it is in the average patient and so when it enters the bloodstream of a pregnant patient, there are severe repercussions. According to latest news, only now people have started awaken to the horrific reality of taking Zoloft and so far around 250 lawsuits have been filed.
Q:How is it possible to file a Zoloft autism lawsuit? Aren't autistic kids like that from birth and isn't Zoloft generally prescribed to older children and adults?
A:It has long been known anecdotally that where Zoloft may address depression by alleviating the serotonin levels of the patient, in the long run it leads to suicidal thoughts and self-destructive tendencies. However, kids have a high chance of developing autism and even serious birth defects if their mothers were on Zoloft before their conception or birth. All this mounting evidence has enabled mothers taking Zoloft and having children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder to file a Zoloft autism lawsuit.
Q:I plan to file a Zoloft birth defect lawsuit, but first I would like to know what birth defects Zoloft is limited to. Can you help me on this?
A:There are over 20 major birth defects that been linked to the use of Zoloft. According to research, this drug has the potential to affect normal growth of the fetus, and can lead to a variety of birth defects. A few include heart malformations, anal atresia, atrial enlargement, limb reduction defects, congenial heart defects, neural tube defects, club foot, pulmonary stenosis, and truncus arteriosis.
Q:Why is an industry-trusted drug such as Zoloft getting a bad repute of late and Zoloft birth defect lawsuits are on the rise?
A:Even if expecting mothers take Zoloft during the pregnancy period or even before conceiving, they are exposing their unborn fetuses to a considerable risk of developing autism from birth. For twenty years, people with depression have been taking not just Zoloft but drugs such as Prozac, Lexapro, Celexa and Effexor as if from a Pez dispenser and their birth-defect connection has only now become apparent so lawsuits for Zoloft causing one birth defect or the other are increasing.
Q:Where are there so many Zoloft birth defects lawsuits being filed all of a sudden?
A:Overwhelming evidence has been brought forth that Zoloft, which had been marketed ad nauseam by the drug manufacturer Pfizer, has been responsible for causing not just suicidal thoughts in children, teens and adults but also congenital defects and autism in new born babies and showing up in infants. The latter is most specifically characterized as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and it has prompted many parents to file lawsuit incriminating Pfizer for not being upfront about the dangers.
Q:I have found out that the birth defects showing up in my child are due to my Zoloft intake. Can I be a part of a Zoloft class action lawsuit or do I have to sue the manufacturer individually?
A:Even though no class action lawsuit against the Zoloft manufacturer Pfizer has been filed as of yet, hundreds of individual lawsuits have been filed on the basis of the serious heart and birth defects that the usage of Zoloft leads towards. With expecting mothers suffering with depression being put on SSRI drugs such as Zoloft, the chances of their babies being born with facial deformities, autism and other complications have been on the rise.
Q:Will I be able to successfully file a Zoloft lawsuit based on my individual experiences or do I have to become part of a class action lawsuit?
A:Yes, it has become possible to file an individual Zoloft lawsuit against its maker Pfizer ever since the dangers of SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) drugs such as Paxil, Prozac and Effexor alongside Zoloft came to light in 2005. As revealed in the FDA's findings, Zoloft and other SSRI psychotropic drugs cause a range of birth and heart defects such as holes in the heart walls and thickening of artery walls, whereby increasing the chances of a stroke.
Q:My baby has been diagnosed with having some birth defects that have been linked to my Zoloft prescription and need some Zoloft lawsuit advice. Have any such lawsuits been filed yet?
A:It is tragic that Zoloft and other SSRI drugs such as Effexor, Paxil and Prozac that are dangerous for treating depression as it is, have also been found to cause serious birth defects and other complications in the offspring of those on such psychotropic medication. There have been over 1000 lawsuits that have been filed by individuals against Pfizer, the manufacturer of Zoloft, that contend that the company aggressively marketed the drug and concealed the potentially fatal side effects.
Q:What are the salient features of the Zoloft lawsuit birth defects? I need to know so that I can decide whether those in the case of my newborn qualify for initiating litigation.
A:With the 2005 release of the findings of an FDA study decisively revealing that the intake of SSRI drugs such as Paxil, Prozac, Lexapro and Zoloft leads to acute birth defects in babies born to mothers that have been put on them, lawsuits against their manufacturers have been on the rise. Birth defects caused by Zoloft mostly relate to heart problems in babies such as pulmonary Hypertension and Atrial Septal Defects.
Q:What are the various factors upon which a Zoloft while pregnant lawsuit can be based on?
A:Lawsuits based on the dangers of taking Zoloft while pregnant have been on the rise in the past couple of years. A 2005 study released by the FDA was instrumental in establishing indisputable linkages between the intake of Zoloft during pregnancy, especially in the first and third trimester and the appearance of acute heart birth defects such as PPHN (Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn) and atrial septum defects in their babies.
Q:What are the grounds on which a Zoloft withdrawal lawsuit can be filed successfully?
A:Unlike other antidepressants, SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) drugs such as Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft interfere with your brain chemistry by unnaturally triggering the release of serotonin, the so-called "happy hormone" and then building it up. Hence, not only does a user of Zoloft experience side effects but experiences symptoms such as nausea, spinal pain and electrical sensations in the jaws, head and neck when undergoing Zoloft withdrawal and so can file a lawsuit and claim damages.
Q:Can a Zoloft birth defects lawyer help me get compensation against the manufacturer in a short period of time?
A:Zoloft birth defects lawyers work to get the victims justice for the harm done. The question whether you will be able to get compensation and how much it would be is something that a legal expert can determine only after studying your case. The time it may take to fight the case is also dependent on the nature of the case, the legal complexities and the side effects that you have suffered from.
Q:Are the withdrawal symptoms of Zoloft the same as its side effects?
A:Zoloft is basically a medication used for controlling anxiety, depression, and stress disorders. This drug is known to cause various side effects such as blurred vision, fever, hallucinations, changes in weight, and headaches. Those taking Zoloft regularly should not stop taking the medicine abruptly as it will show withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia, dizziness, and anxiety.
Q:Can I file a lawsuit for effects of Zoloft withdrawal?
A:If Zoloft withdrawal effects are seriously disturbing and were unexpected with no signs and warnings given by the manufacturer or by the healthcare expert, then you can consider a lawsuit against those responsible. A legal expert can help you determine against whom the lawsuit can be filed and the legal grounds of your case.
Q:My newborn has been diagnosed with heart defects as I was on Zoloft during the pregnancy. I was unaware of these side effects and I wish to file a Zoloft compensation lawsuit. Is this a possibility?
A:Yes it is possible to file a lawsuit and claim compensation. Zoloft has been linked to various birth defects and side effects. Although the drug is very popular, studies have shown that it can cause harm to an unborn child during pregnancy. You should not let your suffering and your babies suffering go unnoticed. By contacting a specialized lawyer, you can get detail on how to file a lawsuit and what your chances of success are.
Q:As I was going through the zoloft pregnancy category, I came across some disturbing side effects caused by this drug. Can you please tell me about them?
A:Zoloft is a popular anti-depressant drug has been used to treat a number of stress disorders, anxiety disorders, and depression disorders. Unfortunately, the manufacturer of this drug has not provided warning about the birth defects that can occur due to the use of Zoloft. Major birth defects include Spina Bifida, Persistent Pulmonary hypertension, septal heart defects, and abdominal defect.
Q:Does Zoloft cause birth defects?
A:Studies have shown that Zoloft can cause various birth defects. A few of these defects have been mentioned here: ventrical septal defects, heart problems, atrial septal defects, and persistent pulmonary hypertension. If you are expecting a baby, it is important that you should consult a doctor before taking Zoloft during pregnancy.
Q:Does zoloft cause weight gain?
A:Studies have shown that many antidepressants lead to weight gain. However, this weight gain occurs after a certain time period. People who take antidepressants usually gain weight in the long run. It is important that you talk to your doctor and understand what different side effects the drug may have on you.
Q:If it is true that Zoloft usage causes serious injuries including suicidal tendency, then why is it prescribed in the first place?
A:Zolofot is prescribed to treat psychological disorders like anxiety, depression, panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder. It is important to realize that several of the injuries that are claimed to be caused by Zolofot are only potentially linked to the drug. That is why the FDA has not banned the drug. It only requires the manufacturer to add a warning about suicidal behavior.
Q:Are there any zoloft warnings I should be aware of?
A:Zoloft is a popular drug that is used to treat all kinds of depression disorders and anxiety disorders. This medication has also been linked to a number of birth defects. The most common side effects of Zoloft include headaches, hallucinations, dizziness, increased suicidal tendency, and fever outbreaks. It is always important to discuss the effects and side effects of your medication with your doctor.
Q:Can you tell me briefly about zoloft breathing problems?
A:Zoloft has been linked to a number of side effects. People are usually prescribed tis medication for treatment of stress disorders, depression disorders, and anxiety disorders. Some of the most common side effects include breathing difficulty, fever, hallucinations, blurred vision, and headaches. It is important that you immediately consul your doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.
Q:As I was reading about a zoloft suicide lawsuit, I heard that this drug has been linked to suicidal thoughts. Is this true?
A:Yes, Zoloft has been linked to suicidal thoughts and occurrences in a few cases. This drug is used to treat all kinds of depression disorders and anxiety disorders. Many people have suffered from its side effects that usually include headaches, hallucinations, vision problems, and breathing problems. In severe cases, the drug has provoked suicidal thoughts and actions.
Q:Has there been a major case from taking Zoloft?
A:The generic drugs which come under the brand name of Zoloft have several side effects. Serious birth defects in babies have been found out after the use of Zoloft. If you are taking drugs like Zoloft, you may consult a physician and find out about its side effects. Birth defects in babies include respiratory syndrome, heart defects, anencephaly, cleft lip and palate, and many others.
Q:Is there a lawsuit for Zoloft medication?
A:Yes, if your child is experiencing any birth defects caused by Zoloft, you can file a lawsuit against the manufacturer, so that you claim a compensation for expenses incurred during treatment. In order to have an effective lawsuit, you should contact a lawyer who has experience in Zoloft birth defect lawsuits.
Q:I have heard respiratory distress syndrome is one of the side effects of Zoloft in newborns. Can you tell me more about it?
A:Women who use Zoloft during pregnancy may experience birth defects in their baby. Baby can be born prematurely and may have breathing difficulties due to underdeveloped lungs. Mothers who use Zoloft in their third trimester develop a condition called Neonatal Adaptation Syndrome and respiratory syndrome is one of its symptoms.
Q:I am suffering from depression due to pregnancy. Is Zoloft dangerous for me?
A:The drug Zoloft has been associated with various birth defects in children, when used by pregnant women. If you are currently using Zoloft, you should consult your physician about the possible side effects. There have been a number of cases where Zoloft has caused serious birth defects in babies and mothers are filing lawsuits for compensation.
Q:Who makes Zoloft?
A:Zoloft is a drug produced by Pfizer for adult patients who are going through major depressive disorders, especially those who are getting outpatient care. Pfizer is one of the largest drug producing companies in the world. It makes drugs to treat patients in at least eleven major therapeutic areas, with many drugs in each category.
Q:Does Zoloft ruin stomach?
A:Zoloft has a number of side effects, which include both mild and serious effects. Zoloft can have some stomach related side effects as well which include mild nausea, stomach pain, upset stomach, and dry mouth. Patients taking Zoloft may also experience drowsiness, tired feeling, and dizziness. These side effects of Zoloft fall in the category of mild side effects, there are other severe effects related to the drug as well.
Q:Can I file a Zoloft action suit for breathing problems in my baby?
A:Yes, you can file a Zoloft action suit for breathing problems in your baby caused by the drug. Respiratory problem caused by the drug is normally known as respiratory distress syndrome. Babies are born prematurely due to the drug and their lungs are not developed for proper breathing. If your child is facing such a problem, you can file a lawsuit for compensation.
Q:How is Zoloft linked to heart problems?
A:The side effects of Zoloft include heart defects in the form of holes in heart, which make the blood circulation difficult. Major heart defects include heart septal defects, atrial septal defects (ASD) and ventricular septal defects (VSD). The risk of the heart defects can be greater when Zoloft is taken along with Celexa.
Q:What are the Zoloft suicidal side effects?
A:The FDA completed an evaluation of 372 studies, involving 100,000 patients and 11 antidepressants which included Lexapro, Zoloft, Prozac and Paxil. Results were analyzed by age and it was found out that there is a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior among adults of ages 18 to 25, than observed in children.
Q:I have heard of Zoloft dangerous side effects. Do other drugs similar to Zoloft have the same side effects?
A:Other drugs which fall in the category of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) may also have side effects. SSRIs are commonly prescribed to women to cure depression, but they may have several unwanted effects as well. It is recommended that you discuss the effects of such drugs with your physician and make sure they don't cause any serious problems.
Q:I have heard of several Zoloft lawsuit cases taking place. Are the side effects only there for pregnant women?
A:The drug Zoloft is not just dangerous for pregnant women and unborn babies, it can have several side effects on other patients as well. While some side effects are minor, but severe problems associated with the drug may include serotonin syndrome, hemorrhage, liver failure, high blood sugar, sun sensitive skin, rashes, cataracts, and pancreatitis.
Q:I have heard of Zoloft during pregnancy lawsuit. Does the drug affect other people as well?
A:Yes, Zoloft can have various side effects on people, apart from pregnant women. Zoloft side effects can be mild or severe, and can vary among different patients. Some of the major side effects of the drug include sweating, confusion, allergic reaction, hallucinations, nausea, headaches, tremors, seizures, and trouble with concentration.