Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of drugs commonly prescribed for the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder among other conditions. As the popularity and sheer number of SSRI medications have grown, increasing evidence indicates that women who take these dangerous drugs during pregnancy increase their infants’ risk for birth defects and other health problems.

If you took an SSRI medication during pregnancy and your child was born with birth defects or other associated medical issues, Houston product liability attorney Tony Malley is ready to listen to your story and help you seek the financial security you need to cope with ongoing medical expenses. Mr. Malley understands the far-reaching impacts of SSRI complications, and he has helped numerous families across the country pursue the compensation they need and sense of justice they deserve.

Popular SSRI medications associated with birth defects and other health complications, listed by brand name and generic name, include:

• Celexa (citalopram)
• Lexapro (escitalopram)
• Paxil (paroxetine)
• Prozac (fluoxetine)
• Symbyax (fluoxetine and olanzapine)
• Zoloft (sertraline)

Studies suggest that the risk of birth defects and medical complications are further increased when SSRIs are taken by women during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Although some side-effects of SSRI medications were known prior to approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and widespread consumer availability, the hazards of SSRIs to pregnant women and their unborn infants first became clear in 2005 when the FDA stated there was a link between Paxil and increased risk of heart defects in infants born to women who used the drug during pregnancy. Since then, research has established a connection between other SSRIs and medical complications in newborns including:

• Anal atresia
• Brain damage
• Cleft palate
• Club foot
• Heart murmur
• Limb reduction defects
• Omphalocele
• Persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN)
• Pulmonary stenosis
• Septal defects
• Spinal cord damage

While many of these complications are treatable, they may necessitate surgery, costly medications and, in some cases, long-term medical care.

If you’re a mother who used SSRIs during pregnancy and your child suffered birth defects or other medical problems, please contact the Malley Law Firm for your free case consultation. Product liability attorney Tony Malley welcomes clients from the Houston and Beaumont, Texas, areas and nationwide.