Kansas City Lawyers | Dangerous Drugs
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Zoloft (Sertraline)
Zoloft is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant manufactured by Pfizer. Zoloft has been associated with a number of dangerous, even deadly, health risks.
The most serious of these health risks involves women who become pregnant while taking Zoloft, or who are prescribed Zoloft during pregnancy. Studies have linked Zoloft use during pregnancy to serious birth defects.
Birth defects associated with Zoloft
- Heart valve/septal defects. A septal defect is sometimes called a “hole in the heart.” Large septal defects, often apparent at birth, require surgery. Small ones may go undiagnosed at first, sometimes showing up as a “heart murmur.” Two heart valve defects associated with SSRIs are
- Atrial septal defects (ASD)
- Ventricular septal defects (VSD)
- Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN) is a life-threatening lung condition apparent soon after birth. PPHN babies cannot get enough oxygen into their bloodstream. This can cause heart failure, seizures, organ failure, hearing loss, brain damage, kidney damage, shock and even death.
- Omphalocele An omphalocele is a birth defect where a baby’s internal organs, such as the intestines, the liver or other organs, stick out of the baby’s belly button. Surgery is needed to fix an omphalocele.
These serious side effects which harm your baby often require significant medical care, surgery, and terrible heartache for members of the family affected. These side effects result from giant drug companies who value profits over people. At Brown & Crouppen, we hold giant companies responsible for the harm they cause.
If your child or loved one has birth defects, and Zoloft was taken during pregnancy, you may be entitled to compensation for the harm done to your child.
In 2008, the New England Journal of Medicine published a study showing that SSRI manufacturers engaged in a practice called “publication bias. ” Publication bias happens when drug makers suppresses or misrepresent negative studies about a drug. This leaves doctors and patients with a distorted view of how well an antidepressant really works. Of a total of five different studies of Zoloft, Pfizer failed to publish three negative studies and misrepresented the results of one study. This increased the positive impression of Zoloft by 64% .
At Brown & Crouppen our experienced team of defective drug lawyers provide tough, aggressive representation for victims and their families. Brown & Crouppen can help you make informed decisions about your legal rights, so please call Brown & Crouppen at Toll Free: 1-888-891-2022 for your free legal consultation or save time with our online Contact Form.
