Since its introduction in 1991, the antidepressant medication Zoloft (generic: sertraline) has been used by mental health professionals in the treatment of depression as well as several other psychological disorders including anxiety, obsessive compulsive, post traumatic stress, and panic disorders. As an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), Zoloft treats chemical imbalances in the brain that can cause these various mental health issues. Currently, Zoloft (and many other SSRIs) are being used in the treatment of pregnant women, despite evidence linking these medications to birth defects. This situation has resulted in litigation against the pharmaceutical companies producing SSRIs; a Zoloft Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) lawsuit is filed on the grounds that a female patient was not adequately warned or counseled regarding the potential risk of serious birth defects associated with taking Zoloft while pregnant.
Zoloft Atrial Septal Defect
When a baby is born with a hole in the septum (wall separating the two upper heart chambers), the medical term for this is an atrial septal defect. This whole between atria is used during fetal development to allow for blood circulation to bypass the lungs, but in a normal baby closes prior to its birth. Among the general population this is a pretty rare condition, and atrial septal defect is only one of several different congenital heart defects that have been linked to taking the SSRI antidepressant Zoloft while pregnant.
Zoloft ASD Complications and Treatment
In some cases, the Zoloft atrial septal defect will close on its own and cause no harm or complications to the baby. Unfortunately, when this does not happen the results can be a range of symptoms including: trouble breathing, heart palpitations, difficulty with breathing during physical exercise, and even reoccurring respiratory infections. When an ASD does not close on its own, surgery is performed in order to close the whole. Some doctors prefer to use a nonsurgical ASD treatment in which a “closure device” is inserted into the heart through the use of catheters. Patients with an atrial septal defect are at a higher risk of incurring atrial fibrillation, pulmonary overcirculation and hypertension, strokes and even heart failure in their lifetimes. The severity of these complications are what inspire many parents to file a Zoloft Atrial Septal Defect ASD lawsuit on behalf of their child.
File a Zoloft Atrial Septal Defect Lawsuit: Speak to an Attorney
If your child was born with an atrial septal defect or other congenital birth or heart defect and you believe that it could have been as a result of exposure to Zoloft during pregnancy, you may have a potential lawsuit claim. Call the Willis Law Firm today in order to have your initial Zoloft Atrial Septal Defect lawsuit consultation free of charge & obligation. Our firm has a team of talented legal professionals waiting to help your family obtain the settlement that you deserve. Call us today.