Anti-Depressants & Suicide/Birth Defects
Increasing numbers of children are being diagnosed with childhood depression. As a result, many doctors have prescribed antidepressant medications to treat these children and adolescents. Although Prozac (fluoxetine) is the only antidepressant approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat pediatric depression, doctors also prescribe numerous other drugs - including Celexa (citalopram), Lexapro (fluoxetine), Effexor (venlafaxine), Paxil (paroxetine) and Symbyax (fluoxetine) - even though the drugs are not approved for children. This is called "off-label" use.
The FDA recently issued warnings that children should not be prescribed Paxil because it and other antidepressants may cause an increased risk of suicidality (suicidal thinking and behavior) in children and adolescents being treated with these medicines. The Committee on Safety of Medicines in Great Britain has also recommended that doctors not prescribe most SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) medications for children with depression, concluding that the drugs are not appropriate for people under age 18.
In addition to potential suicidality, recent research has raised concerns about the increased risk of miscarriage by pregnant women taking these drugs. As a result, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has recommended that the decision to prescribe SSRIs during pregnancy should be made on an individual basis, and those women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should not take Paxil.
At Pogust Braslow & Millrood, protecting our clients is our primary goal. We recognize that drug companies are under an obligation to warn about the known risks of their products. When they fail to do so, they may be held responsible for the injuries or deaths that are the consequence of their inaction. In addition, doctors may be responsible when they prescribe a medication for an unapproved condition and the patient suffers a serious side effect.
If you or your child has attempted suicide, a loved one has committed suicide, or you have had a miscarriage while taking one of these drugs, you should immediately contact the attorneys at Pogust Braslow & Millrood, where Protecting Consumers Is Our Primary Goal. Just fill out this form, click here to send us an email or call us at (610) 941-4204.
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