It has been shown in recent studies that women who take the drug Zoloft during the early part of their pregnancy are more likely to have a baby with a birth defect, especially when compared to women who do not take any antidepressants during pregnancy.

These Zoloft birth defects can be deadly and can include some serious problems that occur right at birth. The most serious of these risks are Zoloft related heart defects.

What Exactly is Zoloft?

In technical terms, Zoloft is Sertraline Hydrochloride. It is taken as a pill for people that need help with battling depression. In general, it is most typically used in pill form to help people battle social anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. Zoloft acts as a mechanism for the body to produce increased levels of serotonin in the brain.

The Side Effects of Zoloft

Zoloft is approved by the FDA as a means of treating symptoms of depression as well as other mental disorders. However, recent studies have said that Zoloft can cause an increased risk of birth defects in the unborn children of mothers who were on the drug. This is especially the case when the drug is taken during the first three months of pregnancy. The use of Zoloft during this time period can result in severe cardiovascular birth defects.

FDA Zoloft Advisory

On December 8, 2005 the Public Health Advisory. The statement was made in order to notify people that there was data stating that babies who were exposed to this drug during pregnancy had a higher chance of having a heart defect. The defects that were present were mostly atrial and ventrical septal defects. The septal defects have to do with the walls of the heart not becoming completely developed. Two large scale case and control studies show that the use of Zoloft during the first three months of pregnancy left an unborn baby six times more likely to suffer from a birth defect.

There is a lot of recent concern over the use of Zoloft, as well as other antidepressants like Paxil as a result of these alarming facts. The maker of the drug Paxil has had to pay out billions of dollars to settle lawsuits regarding the drug and perceived birth defects. Paxil, similar to Zoloft, has not taken the necessary steps to warn mothers that birth defects could be a side effect if the drug is taken during pregnancy.

Many families have been affected by Zoloft. You are not alone. If your baby or you have experienced side effects from this drug that you were not properly warned of, the Bernard Law Group immediately. Our qualified lawyers have the experience and understanding you need to get through this and to get the compensation you deserve.