Lexapro linked to birth defects

Antidepressants such as Zoloft, Lexapro, Prozac and Celexa are prescribed to treat patients with depression and generalized anxiety disorder.

However, these drugs should not be taken without precautions. The FDA has issued two alerts concerning injuries caused by such drugs.

The first alert is that Lexapro has been known to cause persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHT) in babies whose mothers used the drug during pregnancy. Babies with PPHT have an inadequate blood supply to the lungs, which causes oxygen-depleted blood to return to the heart.

Although some infants can recover quickly, others can have complications and require care throughout the rest of their lives.  Statistics show that mothers who took Lexapro while pregnant are six times more likely to have a child with a birth defect.

The second FDA alert is regarding serotonin syndrome.  Serotonin controls moods, emotions, sleep cycles and appetite.  Some drugs like Lexapro can contribute to having too high of levels of serotonin in your body.

Serotonin syndrome can be fatal. Symptoms of this syndrome may include:  restlessness, increased heartbeat, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, tremor, muscle spasms, and several others.

If you were prescribed one of these antidepressants and believe that you suffered injury as a result, please contact one of our defective drugs attorneys for professional insight.