Drugs/Product Liability
SSRI Drugs Linked to Birth Defects
Antidepressants have become a troubling subject when it comes to birth defects. Some mothers are unfortunately delivering children with birth defects connected to taking drugs called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) during their pregnancy. SSRI birth defects, including heart defects, spina bifida, club foot, and other serious birth defect injuries, are causing concern and leading to litigation filed against the makers of these dangerous drugs.Complaints of SSRI birth defects have been identified since at least 2005 from women who took Paxil,Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro, Effexor, or Prozac while pregnant. SSRI drugs are generally used as antidepressants.
A New England Journal of Medicine study found that women who took SSRIs during their first trimester of pregnancy were six times more likely to deliver babies born with Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN) than those who didn’t take SSRIs during their pregnancy. PPHN is a lung disorder that restricts the arteries and causes blood pressure in the pulmonary artery of the heart to rise beyond control. The following symptoms may indicate PPHN:
- Heart Murmurs
- Rapid Heart Rate
- Bluish Skin
- Low Blood Oxygen Levels
- Difficulty Breathing
PPHN is a serious birth defect. Even after treatment, the baby can be susceptible to heart failure, brain hemorrhage, seizures, kidney failure, or organ damage. It can also sometimes be fatal.
Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro, Effexor, and Prozac are antidepressants that have fallen under close scrutiny for use by expectant mothers. The FDA has classified these drugs as either Class C or D for the risks the present during pregnancy. These SSRIs have been used for years to treat depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic attacks, ADHD, and some eating disorders.
The attorneys at the Stenger Law Firm, LLC have extensive experience in representing clients that have suffered injuries from SSRIs including Paxil and Zoloft, including several with birth defect injuries.
Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella linked to Pulmonary Embolisms
Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella have been linked to the risk of blood clots which can cause pulmonary embolism. The types of blood clots caused by Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella are more formally known as thrombosis. Thrombosis is the formation or presence of a blood clot (thrombus) in a blood vessel. If the thrombus breaks loose and travels through the bloodstream, it is a thromboembolism. The clot may plug a vessel in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), brain (stroke), gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, or leg.Yaz and Yasmin Cases Consolidated in MDL in Southern District of Illinois
Today the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict litigation filed its order transferring all federal court Yaz/Yasmin lawsuits to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. MDL 2100 was assigned to Judge David R. Herndon. The pretrial proceedings for these cases will be handled under the title, IN RE: Yasmin and Yaz (Drospirenone) Marketing and Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation. The Order comes after a hearing in front of the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation last week.The cases consolidated under MDL involve allegations that Yaz, Yasmin and the generic, Ocella, are associated with increased risks of pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, stroke, heart attack and serious gallbladder disease. The cases will be consolidated for the purposes of discovery and pretrial motions.
Yaz – Yasmin – Ocella and Stroke
Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella have been linked to the risk of blood clots which can cause strokes. Experts believe Yaz and Yasmin have a prothombotic effect due to the progestin drospirenone or drsp. Drsp is a potassium-sparing diuretic which can cause an increase in potassium. Unsafe levels of potassium in the blood, also known as hyperkalemia, can disrupt heart rhythms and slow the flow of blood. This can lead to blood clotting.A blood clot in a blood vessel is thrombus. If the thrombus causes a thromboembolism. The clot may plug a vessel in the lungs (Pulmonary embolism), brain (stroke), gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, or leg.
Yaz and Yasmin May Be Linked to Pancreatic Cancer
The birth control pills, Yaz and Yasmin that have been linked with other digestive organ problems such as gallstones, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis and kidney failure may now be linked to Pancreatic Cancer.As of October 6, 2009 not much is known about the potential link between Yaz, Yasmin and pancreatic cancer.
