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Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
SSRI's
SSRI HEALTH RISKS
An SSRI/SSRIs is an antidepressant. However, when taken by an expectant mother during pregnancy, SSRIs may pose significant side effects and/or health dangers for another, unknowing victim: the unborn fetus.
Studies have linked the use of SSRI/SSRIs during pregnancy with an increased of heart congenital defects (risk birth injury defects) - heart valve defects, atrial (ASD) and ventricular septal defects (VSD) (holes in the walls of the chambers of the heart) - in newborns when Paxil is taken during the first three months of pregnancy and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), a life-threatening respiratory condition that affects a baby's ability to breathe after birth.
In addition, a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome can happen when medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI/SSRIs), such as Paxil, and medicines used to treat migraine headaches known as 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonists (triptans), are used together.
SSRIs IN ACTION
Research suggests that problems with neurotransmitter activity in the brain can negatively affect a person's moods and behavior. It appears that low levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine have been linked to depression and other mood disorders.
SSRI/SSRIs are believed to work by blocking the reabsorption, or reuptake, of serotonin by certain nerve cells in the brain.
Therefore, serotonin should become more available and enhance the transmission of chemicals in the brain and improve overall mood. SSRIs are called "selective" due to the fact that they appear to only affect serotonin, not other neurotransmitters.
Side Effects of SSRIs
In general, symptoms and/or side effects may include:
- Increased sweating
- Weight gain
- diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- nervousness
- rash
- agitation
- tachycardia
- restlessness
- drowsiness
- insomnia
- nausea
- sexual dsyfunction
- headache
Since every SSRI/SSRIs has its own unique chemical makeup, individual patients may respond differently to a single SSRI. In the same token, each patient may experience varied side effects with different types of SSRIs.
OTHER SSRI MEDICATIONS
- Prozac (Fluoxetine)
- Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride), manufactured by Pfizer, Inc.
- Luvox (fluvoxamine maleate), manufactured by Solvay Pharmaceuticals.
- Celexa (citalopram hydrobromide), manufactured by Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Lexapro
FDA ALERTS
The results of a study that looked at the use of antidepressant medicines during pregnancy in mothers of babies born with a serious respiratory condition called persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) were recently published in a medical journal.
For more on PPHN, please follow this link
Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN) [issued 7/2006]
If your child has suffered a birth injury or birth defect and you suspect it may have been caused by a prescription drug taken during your pregnancy, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact a pharmaceutical lawyer from Gooch Law Firm by e-mail, or by calling Joel Gooch at 1-800-672-4916.
Please navigate to the links below to find more information on personal injury and what individuals suffering from a personal injury can do to protect their legal rights or contact us.
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