During pregnancy, it would be best if you never had to take medications, however, sometimes it is necessary for your overall wellbeing to take the medications. Some women with severe depression or other conditions face a difficult decision about taking their medications during pregnancy since some antidepressants have been shown to increase the risk of birth defects when taken during pregnancy. Such women may be advised that the benefits of taking an antidepressant during pregnancy outweigh the risks. While this may be partially true, some studies show Paxil is an antidepressant that has significant risks for pregnant women and their developing babies.
Studies have shown that Paxil can be linked to heart defects such as atrial and ventricular septal defects, which are characterized by holes in the walls of the chambers of the heart. Heart-related Paxil birth defects range in severity from minor, which may resolve without treatment, to severe conditions, which usually require surgical repair. It has also been shown that Paxil can be linked to PPHN (persistent pulmonary hypertension), which is a rare but life-threatening birth defect that can lead to multiple organ failure and death. PPHN requires prompt diagnosis and treatment, and can still prove fatal. Babies who survive the initial trauma of PPHN often suffer permanent damage affecting their hearing and speech as well as brain damage that can result in developmental delays and neurological deficits.
If you took Paxil while pregnant and your baby was born with a birth defect, contact the attorneys at Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP at 1-800-460-0606 so their experienced attorneys can determine whether you may be eligible to seek compensation from the drug manufacturer.