SNRI & SSRI Lawsuits
Antidepressant medications have been linked to a heightened risk of birth defects when mothers take these drugs during pregnancy. Lawsuits are underway against the manufacturers of various SNRIs and SSRIs for failing to warn consumers and depriving women of the opportunity to make informed decisions about the health of their unborn children.
The following congenital anomalies in newborns have been associated with antidepressant medications:
- Heart defects
- Limb reduction
- Cleft lip
- Cleft palate
- Neural tube defects (brain and spinal cord injuries such as anencephaly and spina bifida)
- Anal atresia (lack of perforation of the anus)
- Gastroschisis (fissure in the wall of the abdomen)
SNRI and SSRI lawsuits seek to compensate victims and their families for these serious birth defects while holding the drug companies accountable for allegedly subjecting patients to unnecessary risks.
SNRIs
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs, are designed to balance natural chemicals in the brain to affect mood and emotional responses. The following SNRIs are subject to litigation over alleged birth defects:
- Effexor (venlafaxine)
- Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)
SSRIs
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are the most popular type of antidepressant medications. The following SSRIs have been named in nationwide birth defects litigation:
- Zoloft (sertraline)
- Celexa (citalopram)
- Lexapro (escitalopram)
Filing Your Antidepressant Birth Defects Lawsuit
Lawsuits for SNRI and SSRI birth defects are not structured as a class action proceeding. Rather, each victim files suit individually in the appropriate state or federal court and claims are litigated and resolved on a case-by-case basis.
Accordingly, the first step for any potential claimant is to consult an attorney about your individual case.
You can find more information about specific SNRI and SSRI lawsuits on this website, or contact our experienced birth defects lawyers for an evaluation of your case at no cost.