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Zoloft Lawsuits

Based upon current scientific and medical research regarding Zoloft and its effects during pregnancy, the drug has been determined to be potentially harmful to the fetus during development. The anti-depressant has been classified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a Category C drug during pregnancy. Although the drug may be determined necessary and prescribed by a physician during a pregnancy, there are several risks which should be considered. Also, if you are trying to become pregnant or become pregnant while taking the medication, please consult with your doctor.

Pregnancy Category C and Zoloft

Sertraline hydrochloride, commercially known as Zoloft, is considered a pregnancy Category C drug, meaning that it has the potential to harm the unborn fetus, particularly during the third trimester of the pregnancy.

The FDA utilizes a category system during pregnancy in order to classify the risks of medications which could potentially affect the fetus. C medications are those which have not been tested on humans but have been shown to harm the fetuses of pregnant animals. In addition, new medications which have not been tested on either humans or animals are automatically ranked as Category C.

It is also important to keep in mind that, although there may not be apparent negative effects on animals, humans may respond very differently when exposed to the drug. In the same vein, however, a physician may prescribe one of these medications to a patient if she or he believes that the medication is required and the benefits outweigh the potential complications.

Third Trimester and Zoloft

The third trimester is particularly dangerous for those mothers who are taking Zoloft. It has been linked to increased risks of newborn hospitalization due to complications, required respiratory support, as well as tube feeding. Some newborns also experienced:

• Seizures

• Respiratory difficulties

• Oxygen depletion in the blood

• Eating difficulties

• Irritability

• Inconsolable crying

• Tremors

In addition, fetuses who were exposed to Zoloft later in the pregnancy were also at increased risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn or PPHN, congenital heart defects, ventricular or atrial septal defects, abdominal birth defects, and cranial birth defects. These side effects have also been seen in women who take other forms of SSRIs after the 20th week of pregnancy.

Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN)

A recent study which was published in The New England Journal of Medicine, found that SSRIs such as Zoloft were connected with an elevated risk of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN). After this study was published, the FDA generated a Public Health Advisory against Zoloft which stated that the medication could potentially harm the unborn fetus and that the drug was linked with the occurrence of PPHN.

Congenital Heart Defects

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to both patients and doctors that Zoloft as well as other SSRIs have been linked with the occurrence of congenital heart defects in the developing fetus, a serious condition for the unborn child.

The most common type of congenital heart defect which has been found to occur in the fetus is either a ventricular or atrial septal defect.

Cranial and Abdominal Birth Defects

According to research and information which has been distributed by the National Birth Defects Prevention Study of Infants, Zoloft and other SSRI antidepressants have been linked with the occurrence of both Craniosynostosis, a cranial birth defect, and Omphalocele, an abdominal birth defect.

Craniosynostosis is a defect which leads to the closing of the infant’s head before the appropriate time. When the sutures on the head close earlier than normal, the result is an infant with a head which is abnormally shaped.

Omphalocele is a defect in the abdominal wall which is located on the end of the umbilical cord in the infant’s abdomen. The defect consists of a sac which protrudes from the area which contains the large and small intestine as well as the liver.

Pregnancy and Zoloft

If you are taking Zoloft and have recently become pregnant or are trying to become pregnant, you should certainly consult with your physician. The doctor will determine whether or not the medication should continue to be taken by weighing both the benefits as well as the risks of the drug.