The antidepressant medication Zoloft has been a popular choice amongst mental health care providers in the treatment of both depressive and anxiety disorders. Manufactured by Pfizer, this selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor has been prescribed to nearly 30 million people in the United States alone. Zoloft aims to treat these disorders with a high level of efficacy and a less pronounced set of side effects. Unfortunately, recent medical research suggests that Zoloft, if taken while pregnant, results in a strong association with an increased risk of many potentially fatal birth defects, including Ebstein’s Anomaly.
About Zoloft Ebstein’s Anomaly
Ebstein’s Anomaly is one of several congenital heart defects linked to taking the antidepressant medication Zoloft during pregnancy. In this rare defect, the heart valve separating the two right heart chambers does not function normally. As a result, the heart does not work as efficiently as possible because some blood flows back through this regulator. In its milder forms, Zoloft Ebstein’s Anomaly may not exhibit symptoms until adulthood, but typical symptoms include:
Breathlessness
Exhaustion (worse during physical activity)
Abnormal heart palpitations/arrhythmias
Blue skin tint from lack of oxygen in blood
Zoloft Ebstein’s Anomaly Treatment and Complications
As with many Zoloft congenital heart defects, the goal in treating Ebstein’s Anomaly is to minimize symptoms as well as prevent future complications. Even when no symptoms are present, regular checkups and monitoring performed by a cardiologist are of the utmost importance in order to circumvent problems later in life. Other treatment options range from medications (beta blockers, anti-arrhythmic drugs, and calcium channel blockers) to heart surgery/transplantation. The exact treatment depends largely upon the extent to which the defect is affecting quality of life for the patient. The complications resulting from Ebstein’s anomaly can include heart failure, stroke, arrhythmias, and even sudden cardiac arrest.
File an Ebstein’s Anomaly Lawsuit: Speak to a Zoloft Attorney
Was your baby born with Ebstein’s Anomaly (or other birth defect) and the mother was prescribed Zoloft (or other antidepressant) during pregnancy? If so, you may be eligible for a financial settlement through filing a Zoloft Ebstein’s Anomaly Lawsuit. Call the Willis Law Firm today, so that we can provide you with an initial case consultation free of charge or obligation. When you call, we will provide you with the useful information you need in order to evaluate your legal options and decide how to best protect the interests of you and your child. Our firm is currently reviewing Zoloft lawsuits nationwide and on a contingency fee basis.