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The popular SSRI – Zoloft (generic Sertraline), was found to triple the risk of heart malformations. |
What is Zoloft®?
Zoloft® is an antidepressant drug belonging to a group of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It is classified as pregnancy Category C by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This classification means that Zoloft® can potentially cause harm to a developing fetus if it is used during pregnancy.
 Zoloft® Studies
A recent study published in Clinical Epidemiology, found that taking SSRI's while pregnant, doubles or in some cases quadruples the risk of birth defects. The study looked at over 200,000 pregnant women from Denmark. The authors found that the risk of serious heart malformations was more than doubled when a pregnant women, took an SSRI in their first trimester of pregnancy. The risk was even greater with certain types of SSRI's. The popular SSRI – Zoloft® (generic Sertraline), was found to triple the risk of heart malformations.
With regard to Zoloft®, this is the third study showing heart defects are significantly increased with use of the drug in pregnancy. Zoloft® is still a Pregnancy Category C drug unlike Paxil which has already been changed to the more serious Category D. These Pregnancy Categories help doctors decide whether on not to prescribe certain drugs during pregnancy. The D category tells doctors that studies have been done in humans which have found evidence of birth defects. The lesser C category says that no evidence has been found in Human studies, but there has been some evidence from animal studies.
Side Effects
Pregnant mothers who use Zoloft® are also at risk of pregnancy complications resulting in birth defects including:
- Congenital Heart Defects particularly Atrial and Ventricular Septal Defects;
- Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN);
- Abdominal congenital defects such as Omphalocele;
- Cranial congenital defects such as Craniosynostosis.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one used Zoloft® during early pregnancy and had a child born with a birth defect potentially associated with this drug use, please call Steinberg Law Firm P.C. at 888-529-4688 or email andrewsteinberg@lawyer.com for a free consultation.
Consult A Lawyer on Legal Issues
We encourage you to contact us at 888-529-4688 to discuss your Zoloft® case with an experienced personal injury and wrongful death attorney.
| » Fill out this form if you need additional information or want to discuss a potential claim with an attorney. All inquiries are kept strictly confidential. Please e-mail Andrew E. Steinberg* at: andrewsteinberg@lawyer.com for a free, confidential consultation, or call us at 888-529-4688. |
| » If the inquiry is accepted for further review, you will receive a prompt response (usually the same day or by the next business day). |
Consult A Doctor On Medical Issue
The Steinberg law firm does not intend, by this web site or otherwise, to dissuade anyone from taking medication without their doctors' approval. Please consult your doctor, not your lawyer, on matters relating to your health. It could be dangerous to stop taking medicines, especially abruptly. Patients should talk to their physicians to decide whether the benefits and risks of taking Zoloft® make it the right choice for them.
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