Zoloft Birth Defects

Schedule of the Status Conferences for Zoloft MDL Released

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena Mays) — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 13:41:00 +0000

Compensatory claims against pharmaceutical giant Pfizer have increased to 152 and medical industry observers even predict that it may increase in number. Last September 11, 2012 the presiding magistrate for the trials, Judge Cynthia M. Rufe, released Pretrial Order No. 10 setting the pace of hearings, leading newspaper say. The order contained the schedule of the status conferences, which will be held at the United States Court House in Philadelphia, PA. It will start on November 19, 2012 and end in March 25, 2013. Inclusive topics that will be discussed on October 17, 2012, especially the first status conference for the Zoloft multidistrict litigation, will be made known to the public as promised by the Rottenstein Law Group.

Read more at: Status Conferences for Zoloft MDL Scheduled

How can Folic Acid Help in Pregnancy?

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena Mays) — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 14:04:00 +0000

Pregnancy is a time when women need to think about their nutrition, especially because they are eating for two and obstetricians would require them to eat healthy, leading diet experts say. For this reason, obstetricians prescribe supplemental vitamins for pregnant women to keep them and their babies healthy. Thus, folic acid has been prescribed to decrease the incidences of certain birth defects. However, one might ask how this B-vitamin help in preventing major birth defects. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) even reports that it may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

Preventing neural tube defects remains the biggest contribution of folic acid to the lives of unborn babies. Neural tube defects are problems at birth in which the baby is born with incomplete skull or spine -- two common types of which are anencephaly and spina bifida. Anencephaly, on the one hand, is the absence of the cerebral hemisphere or the cerebellum, skull with facial deformities and heart defects. Spina bifida, on the other hand, is the problem with the spine of the baby which may result to nerve damage. As there is still no cure for such diseases, child experts believe that prevention is the only key to minimizing the numbers.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has even fortified food with this vitamin to ensure women of all ages to have adequate amounts of this nutrient to prepare for pregnancy. The mandate included the fortification of grain products such as bread and cereals. After starting the fortification program of different everyday food, the number of cases of anencephaly and spina bifida lowered down. About 1,000 babies are born healthy and free of major defects at birth due to this program. Taking this supplement prevents 50 to 70 percent of brain and spinal problems among newborn babies.

With the help of careful study, it was also found out that certain medications taken during gestation may cause this physical defect. Apparently Zoloft, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), is one of those medications that may cause it. Women who have taken Zoloft while they still have the baby in their womb have found several materials about this at the www.zoloftsertralinebirthdefects.com.

URL References:

nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/neuraltubedefects.html
nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/1017.html
cdc.gov/NCBDDD/birthdefects/data.html
cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/data.html

Pfizer Faces Multiple Lawsuits Due to Claims Against Zoloft

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena Mays) — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 21:12:00 +0000

A group of mothers banded together against Pfizer, claiming their children suffered from birth defects because they have taken Zoloft while they were still pregnant, leading newspapers report. Even though selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may help manage the anxiety and depression that one might feel while having a baby, these women would still not risk the life of their baby. These women claim that Pfizer has not adequately warned them of the possible problems that their babies might have because of their exposure to Zoloft. Proper public alert or warning of the risks associated with the medication was also left out by the company.

Read more about it at: Large Number of Zoloft Birth Defects Lawsuits Filed in West Virginia Court

How a Child with Anxiety Sees Things

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena Mays) — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 18:38:00 +0000

One may not be able to see at first glance that a simple fidgeting boy or girl during important events may have been evident of a much bigger cause than stage fright, child experts say. It is one way to be afraid of being under the spotlight but to these excessive worrying often stems from a deeper reason which some may say as an anxiety disorder. General anxiety disorder among children has seen to be the most common mental disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The said organization has even said that a 25.1 percent of 13 to 18 year old are under its spell.

When one feels anxious during an important occasion, there are several indications which may be seen. Characteristics of children with such disorders are:

Excessive worrying or fear on almost everything.
Has the need to feel or think that everything is perfect.
Overly criticizes themselves.
Constantly feels guilty of all the bad things that are happening.
May be too dependent and seeks approval of those who are around them.
May have physical symptoms during their anxiety attack such as diarrhea, nausea and insomnia among others.
Preoccupation of negative thoughts would lead to restlessness.

There are several child psychiatrists that say that most children are not aware that they are worrying excessively and parents may need to look out for these symptoms. Children may not be able to enjoy their childhood whilst they are suffering from uncontrollable fear, although it often develops slowly. The worrying grows by the day but most cases would only mature when they grow older. Several consultations may be made before one may truly know that they have generalized anxiety disorder because the complaints may only be about the physical symptoms.

Parents who see their children go through these attacks on a day to day basis may well be at their wits end in finding a solution. Psychiatrists believe that each child has their own special needs and the treatment requires for it to be suited to the needs of the child. They may start to feel that they are different from the others and so as the others might also notice. For these, parents may consider having their child take their antidepressants such as Zoloft. Though, there might be some issues that are found in the Zoloft birth defects information center that caused parents to double think it.

URL References:

nimh.nih.gov/statistics/1ANYANX_child.shtml

childrenshospital.org/az/Site948/mainpageS948P4.html

helpguide.org/mental/generalized_anxiety_disorder.htm

The Effects of Antidepressants on Babies

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena Mays) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:07:00 +0000

Pregnancy sometimes causes depression but taking antidepressants while pregnant proved bothersome for women. Spreading in the news like wildfire, the risks associated in using antidepressants is a hot topic. Complaints about those drugs have caught the attention of the Food and Drug Administration . Purchasing antidepressants is easy because many of its formulations are available in the market. Depressed men and women are not the only ones who use antidepressants but also those that are suffering from diabetes. Simultaneous treatment of depression and diabetes , as was seen in many researches.

Because of the increasing number of men and women taking antidepressants, the FDA has been trying to warn the public of the possible risks. Toward creating new markets and increasing acceptability among women, some pharmaceutical companies are even marketing antidepressants that are safe to take during
pregnancy. The rationale is clear: Pregnancy is a sensitive time for women and the drugs that can be taken are generally limited. This dilemma often leaves women confused.

Doctors are advised by the FDA to brief their patients of the potential risks associated with antidepressant use. Unraveling the side effects of the drugs have been one of the main focus of the studies. Researches are being done extensively to really get to know its benefits and risks.

Babies that have developed birth defects because their mothers had put on antidepressants all throughout their pregnancy had been reported to the FDA. Obstetricians and gynecologists do not advise women to take any medications during the first trimester. The first trimester comprises weeks when the baby develops his or her organs and taking medications during this time would affect organ formation. Particular birth defects had been linked to the use of Sertraline or Zoloft during the first trimester. The inner workings of antidepressants are yet to be known.

The benefits should outweigh the risks if a woman will take antidepressants all through her pregnancy. A woman needs to watch out for certain risks in the antidepressant that she are using. A category C was given by the FDA to Zoloft. Up to 4.5 percent of pregnant women are taking antidepressants throughout their pregnancy, according to the latest survey of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Some women who are taking Zoloft are thinking that maybe their babies will develop Zoloft birth defects .

URL References:

http://www.otispregnancy.org/files/sertraline.pdf
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/antidepressants/DN00007
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/pregnancy_gateway/meds/data.html

SSRIs Causes High Risk of Nueral Tube Defects among New Born

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena Mays) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:26:00 +0000

There is a slight increase in risk of neural tube defects among babies exposed to selective seretonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), according to a new analysis based on national data from Finland. According to a study, about 22 out of 10,000 babies were born with the defect compared to only 9 out of 10,000 babies born to mothers who didn't take SSRIs.

The increased risk of heart defects that occurred among those whose mothers had used not only used SSRIs such as Prozac but also Zoloft and Celexa has reached nearly 500,000 Danish children, a recent study quoted Dr. Heli Malm as saying.

Zoloft known as sertraline hydrochloride belongs to one of four groups of an antidepressant drug called the SSRIs. It is used primarily in the treatment of major depressive illness, anxiety disorders, the depressed phase of bipolar disorder, and psychotic depression.

When used as a medication, antidepressant drug such as Zoloft can cause several side effects from mild to severe reaction, including Zoloft birth defects among women as stated in a study. An infant’s death was link with another Pfizer product. Expectant mothers taking antidepressant drugs like Zoloft is putting their unborn children at risk.

One of the common birth complications is the neural tube defect (NTD), which refers to an opening in the spinal cord or brain that occurs very early in human development. In the second week of pregnancy there is gastrulation in which specialized cells on the dorsal side of the fetus begin to fuse and form the neural tube. When the neural tube does not close completely, NTD develops, the study says.

Anencephaly and spinal bifida are the two most common neural tube defects according to the study. When experiencing spina bifida, the fetal column doesn’t close completely during the first month of pregnancy. In anencephaly, much of the brain does not develop. The brain does not develop in anencephaly. If babies have anencephaly, it will die shortly after birth or the mother will experience a stillbirth.

Before and during pregnancy, it is best to get enough folic acid, a type B vitamin to prevent the risk of neural tube defects. Filing a Zoloft Lawsuit is the best option if the intake of Zoloft during pregnancy causes the birth defect.

REFERENCES:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/24/us-risks-antidepressants-pregnancy-idUSTRE75N3WO20110624

http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf09/folicacid/folicart.htm

Zoloft Birth Defects Include Autism

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena Mays) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 21:47:00 +0000

Zoloft is an antidepressant medication that has been linked with autism spectrum disorder. Autism spectrum disorder is a complex developmental disability which can cause problems with communication and social interaction. Though autism has no known cure, treatments can be made to minimize the symptoms of the condition. Some of these treatments are behavioural therapies to reinforce positive behaviour and remove or minimize unwanted ones. These therapies can also be in conjunction with medications just like talk therapies and antidepressants in kids with OCD.

Symptoms of Autism

Generally, these signs and symptoms are seen in people with autism regardless of the severity of the condition.

• Troubles with both spoken and unspoken communication. Problems with communication may depend on the type of the disorder that the person has under the spectrum.

• Difficulty in dealing with social situations and with socialization in general. Generally, these people find it hard to share their feelings, talk and understand others.

• Repetitive behaviours are also seen in people with autism. This does not only apply to actions but also to repetition of words. Most of those with autism have an obsessive nature over a specific topic or routine up to a point where they easily get upset when there are changes.

Disorders Under Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Autistic Disorder

This is also known as classic autism. This is viewed as the most severe where communication problems as well as problems with social interaction are distinguished. They are also easily distracted with noise, colors and textures. They have rituals or routines and changes can greatly upset them.

• Asperger’s Syndrome

People under Asperger’s syndrome have autism-like symptoms but they have normal intelligence and they don’t have speech impairments. They however have problems with social interaction and communication. They also tend to have an obsession over a single obiect and they have the tendency to ignore other topics or objects. This is identified as the mildest form of autism.

• Atypical Autism (Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified)

This disorder has symptoms of classic autism and some of those under pervasive developmental disoders. Individuals having this condition may have problems in speech and interaction and they are extremely sensitive to the environment.

There are a lot of factors that may be considered as risk for the child to acquire autism and one of them is medications. Studies have shown that autism and other disorders under the spectrum can be considered as Zoloft birth defects, which is why pregnant women should be careful in taking antidepressants especially during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Zoloft and Antidepressants' Effect on Pregnancy

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena Mays) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 19:33:00 +0000

When a woman gets pregnant, she cannot always expect an ideal pregnancy. Sometimes, situations arise that need immediate attention and medical treatment. In cases when a pregnant patient is diagnosed to have mood disorders or depression, a doctor may give her medication to address this problem. These medication could come in a class of drug known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) like Zoloft, which is now said to link to miscarriage among pregnant women.

Doctors prescribe Zoloft to patients to treat a variety of disorders such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic attacks. Zoloft is manufactured by leading pharmaceutical company, Pfizer, and is a popular antidepressant. However, there are emerging studies that link this drug to several birth defects in newborns born to women who took this medicine during pregnancy.

Pregnant users of this drug is worrying over the report that Zoloft may cause congenital heart defects on their newborns. CHD's are the abnormal development of the heart which occur at birth. The National Institutes of Health reported that congenital heart defects cause more deaths in a person's first year than any other birth defects. One cause of CHD is believed to be related to genetic disorders but most causes are unknown. In the early weeks of pregnancy, when there is abnormal or incomplete development of the fetus' heart, congenital heart defects usually happen.

In the British Medical Journal published in September 2009, an article reports that women who take antidepressants in their first trimester are two times more likely to give birth to newborns with heart defects than normal. A study which was published in 2010 in the American Journal of Nursing also had a similar conclusion which puts developing fetuses at a risk of acquiring heart defects, namely atrial septal defects and ventricular septal defects.

The FDA classifies Zoloft as a drug which could be potentially harmful to the baby but is believed that its benefits outweigh its risks. If you or someone you know is pregnant while taking this drug, it is best to consult a doctor regarding treatment. It is ill-advised to abruptly stop taking medication which was prescribed to you. Your doctor might find for you a better alternative to Zoloft.

Studies Reveal Risks for Infants whose Mothers take Zoloft

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena Mays) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 16:05:00 +0000

Recent studies on the serious side effects of the antidepressant drug Zoloft reveal that mothers who took the drug during their pregnancy may give birth to a child with defects.

Zoloft which is manufactured by Pfizer, Inc. is a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat several disorders because of its ability to increase the serotonin level in the brain. Among the disorders that could be treated with Zoloft as approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are depression, social anxiety disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, premenstrual dyphoric disorder (PMDD) in patients 18 years old and above and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) among patients aged 6-17 years old.

However, studies conducted over the years reveal serious developmental birth defects, a potentially life-threatening lung disorder, and increased risks in premature and stillbirths as possible side effects of Zoloft and other antidepressant drugs on newborns whose mothers took the drug during their pregnancy. In fact, one study linked Zoloft to “Omphalocele”, a developmental birth defect wherein an infant is born with parts of its intestines outside the abdominal wall. It is also said to cause anencephaly wherein a baby is missing a large part of its brain and craniosynostosis wherein an infant has problems with the normal growth of its brain and skull, two brain development defects in infants, according to another study.

Aside from these birth defects, a study released in 2006 by the University of California at San Diego also revealed a significant increase of persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) which is fatal soon after birth in 10 to 20 percent of cases. Infants who survived from the PPHN may not be as fortunate as it would need mechanical aids to breathe and may suffer developmental delays, hearing loss and brain abnormalities.

The FDA noted the study of PPHN in infants but it only required birth defect warnings from Paxil, another antidepressant drug. It did, however, issue a number of alerts and warnings over the past few years in response to the studies which linked Zoloft to serious side effects on infants whose mothers had taken the drug during their pregnancy.

Mothers, however, must not immediately stop taking Zoloft as they are liable to suffer withdrawal symptoms after giving birth. It is best for pregnant women to consult with their doctors first and discuss the risks the medication may pose to their newborns.