Did You Take Celexa While You Were Pregnant?
If you took Celexa while you were pregnant and your baby was born with PPHN or other birth injuries related to antidepressants, you may be eligible for compensation for any past and future medical expenses and pain and suffering related to this condition.
Celexa is a type of medicine called a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI), which doctors prescribe to treat severe cases of depression and other mental health conditions such as:
• anxiety
• bulimia
• alcoholism
• borderline personality disorder
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• obesity
Studies show that at least one out of every four women in the U.S. gets depressed at some time in her life, and may require medication to deal with the symptoms. Without medication, some people who suffer from depression are unable to make it to work or even get out of bed each day. People with depression often sleep a great deal, and may lack motivation to accomplish even the most simple task.
Sometimes depression is caused by a situation, and sometimes it may be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Serotonin is one of the chemicals found in the brain that control a person’s mood. When serotonin levels are out of balance, a person can experience severe depression. SSRIs such as Celexa are designed to help balance the serotonin levels so that people can feel better emotionally and physically. Unfortunately, Celexa and many other SSRIs carry great risk when taken by a pregnant woman. These antidepressants are linked to serious birth injuries and even death for any baby exposed to the medicine while still in the womb.
A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that mothers who take SSRIs such as Celexa are six times more likely to give birth to a baby who suffers from Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN). This life-threatening condition damages a baby’s ability to breathe after birth. Celexa has also been linked to the following birth injuries:
• serious heart defects
• cardiovascular dysfunctions
• anal atresia
• cleft lip
• limb reduction
• clubfeet
• abnormally shaped skull
• neural tube and spinal cord abnormalities
• omphalocele (a defect in abdomen muscles resulting in some organs remaining outside of the body)
• muscle defects in abdomen or other body locations
• sexual dysfunction
Was your baby born with PPHN or any other birth injuries related to you taking Celexa? If you believe your infant’s injuries or death may be linked to exposure to Celexa, contact Goldberg & Osborne for your FREE evaluation today. Please fill out our online claim form to start this process.
FDA Warnings for Pregnant Women
The FDA issued guidelines that warn women about the risks of taking Celexa while pregnant. Studies have shown that when a woman took this medication during pregnancy, her baby/babies stood a much greater chance of developing serious or even fatal birth injuries such as PPHN.
Because PPHN is a dangerous lung condition and can seriously affect a baby’s breathing capacity, a baby born with this condition may be unable to breathe properly. In some cases, PPHN is fatal, and in other cases, the baby may end up in intensive care following birth. While doctors can often recognize PPHN’s symptoms and start treating the condition soon after birth, in other children it may go unnoticed for one or more hours, and the loss of oxygen can permanently damage internal organs, including the brain. This is why any pregnant woman should talk with her doctor about the risk of complications as a result of being exposed to Celexa.
Goldberg & Osborne Will Help You Get the Compensation You and Your Child Deserve
If your baby suffered birth injuries related to Celexa or another SSRI, you may be facing large medical expenses, not to mention a lifetime of challenges. You and your child may be eligible for compensation, which would allow you to provide the care your child needs. For more information about your rights concerning Celexa and any associated birth defects, contact Goldberg & Osborne.
Goldberg & Osborne attorneys has helped clients and their newborn babies for more than 20 years. We have a great deal of experience with fighting drug manufacturers and obtaining the compensation that our clients deserve. We encourage you to contact us today, as each state has a time limit to file a claim for injuries caused by defective medications. We want you to be able to file your claim in time and be awarded what you and your child deserve. Our toll free number is (800) 318-6316 or you can fill out and submit our short online form. Contact us today for a FREE evaluation of your case.
