Risks to the Unborn Fetus

According to several medical studies, Paxil use during pregnancy significantly increases the risks of heart defects. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) became so concerned about Paxil risks that it issued a Paxil advisory to doctors and the general public. Women who have taken Paxil during pregnancy should learn about Paxil's risks, including its relationship to heart defects and another condition called Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN).

If your child was born with PPHN or a heart defect and your child's mother took Paxil during pregnancy, your child may be entitled to compensation. Blizzard, McCarthy & Nabers can discuss the strength of your case. Call us at 877-844-3760 or contact us online for a free consultation.

Paxil and Birth Defects

A 2003 GlaxoSmithKline study showed that Paxil use during pregnancy increased the risk of birth defects by 2.2 times. These serious defects involve heart malformations such as atrial and ventricular septal defects.

A separate study by the Swedish National Registry of 6,896 infants exposed to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) anti-depressants showed that exposure to Paxil and other SSRIs in early pregnancy almost doubled the risk for fetal heart defects compared to the rest of the Registry population.

Using Paxil during pregnancy has been linked to other complications, including respiratory distress, hypoglycemia, jaundice, prematurity, and other health problems in the newborn.

Paxil and PPHN

Paxil has also been linked to Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN). This potentially fatal condition causes a baby's arteries and blood flow to become constricted, resulting in reduced blood flow to the lungs and reduced oxygen to the brain.

Getting Your Child Help

If you took Paxil during pregnancy and your child was born with a birth defect or has any of the conditions mentioned above, consult with a doctor.

Blizzard, McCarthy & Nabors is a drug litigation law firm that works hard to win compensation for victims of defective drugs and products. For a free consultation with Blizzard, McCarthy & Nabers about your potential Paxil case, call, toll free 877-844-3760, or contact us online.