PPHN
Taking Paxil While Pregnant Can Lead to Birth Defects Such as PPHN
Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN) is a life threatening heart and lung birth defect that has been linked to the use of Paxil by mothers during their pregnancy. Newborns of pregnant women who have taken Paxil after the 20th week of pregnancy have a 600 percent increased risk of developing PPHN. If you took Paxil while pregnant and your newborn suffers from PPHN please contact Chandler, Mathis & Zivley, PC law firm. We want to fight for your rights against the Paxil manufacturers who knew about these types of risks and did not turn the information over to the Food and Drug Administration until it was too late.
PPHN is described as abnormally high blood pressure in the lungs – so much so that it prevents blood pumped from the heart to be oxygenated in the lungs. PPHN can often be the result of a birth condition known as persistent patent ductus arteriosus which is also a birth defect from the use of Paxil. With PPHN, baby's circulation has not made a normal transition from fetal circulation to a normal newborn circulation because pressure in the lungs is increased and this causes distress. Studies suggest Paxil birth defects such as PPHN are a direct result of pregnant women using Paxil. Specific studies link Paxil and PPHN to findings of multiple organ failure and death.
Heart Defects and Paxil Use While Pregnant
In December 2005, the FDA alerted consumers to the increased risks of Paxil birth defects when taken during the first three months of pregnancy. Results of the studies showed the heart defects were, in most cases, atrial and ventricular septal defects, which are characterized by holes in the walls of the chambers of the heart. Other possible Paxil heart birth defects include:
- Interrupted Aortic Arch
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Transposition of the Great Arteries
- Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
Because of the risk of Paxil birth defects, the FDA asked the drug’s maker to change the pregnancy category on the drug from C to D. Category D means that studies done in pregnant women have shown risks to the fetus. If your baby was born with a Paxil birth defect such as PPHN, please contact the lawyers of Chandler, Mathis & Zivley, PC law firm to speak with a qualified attorney who can help protect and maximize your interests.
Women Unknowingly Put Their Unborn Children At Risk For PPHN By Using Paxil During Pregnancy
[Posted on Dec 28]
The research done on Paxil and similar selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in recent years has revealed much greater risks associated with these types of antidepressants than patients previously knew about. Female patients in particularly have been devastated with the news that their use of Paxil through a pregnancy may have led to their child being born with a heart defect like Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN). Women expect that if they’re using a medication that presents these kinds of risks that they’ll be receive adequate warnings, either from their doctor or the makers of the drug itself.
In the case of Paxil, doctors weren’t made aware of the potential danger caused from Paxil use during a pregnancy. The makers of the drug, GlaxoSmithKline, also did nothing to alert patients or doctors of these risks until it was much too late. Had women been aware that their use of Paxil could lead to their child being born with PPHN, they certainly would have stopped taking the drug but because they weren’t given that option, many are now left to live with the lasting effects.
Instead of being able to embrace and enjoy the new addition to their family, parents and relatives must worry first about the health of the child, both right away and in the future. A child born with PPHN will need medical care, potentially for some time, if there’s any chance of fully recovering from the condition. The treatment is going to be expensive and can present even more challenges for the family to deal with as a result. Paxil lawsuits have been filed by these families and been successful. With a qualified Paxil attorney representing them, these victims have illustrated that GlaxoSmithKline can be held accountable for their carelessness. They’ve been forced to pay financial compensation to these families, which they need to offset at least some of the costs of the medical care needed for a child with PPHN or other Paxil birth defects.
A Paxil lawyer from the Law Offices of Chandler, Mathis, & Zivley, PC, has the necessary background and experience to advise you regarding a potential lawsuit against GlaxoSmithKline. The firm provides a free consultation for former Paxil patients who want to know if they should consider taking legal action and what needs to be done in order to win such a case. After this consultation, you can make an informed decision about whether you should move forward with a Paxil lawsuit.
Read More Articles Below:
Take Action Now if You Believe Your Child’s PPHN Was Caused by Paroxetine
