Sarah Mirando  |  February 13, 2013

Category: Pharmaceuticals

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Do Generics Help or Hurt Lexapro Birth Defect Claims?

By John Curran

 

SSRI drug birth defectsA number of personal injury claims are coming at an inopportune time for pharmaceutical manufacturers. That includes Forest Laboratories, which is fighting lawsuits that its drugs lead to Lexapro congenital defect side effects. The patent for the prescription antidepressant ran out in March 2012, putting a significant damper on its revenues.

Generics cost just a fraction of the original price when Lexapro and related drugs were on patent. More importantly, there are hundreds of claims filed against Forest by Lexapro and Celexa lawsuit attorneys based on studies demonstrating SSRI birth defect side effects. The company has already faced problems with the popular class of antidepressants: it settled civil and criminal claims revolving around underage advertising for $313 million in 2010.

This may not mean much for women, but if Forest’s defense team sees anyway out, it will likely try and do so. Keep in mind that the company has been losing stock value as investors realize that there is a large amount of litigation over the past decade. In addition, nearly half of their entire revenue was cancelled out by generic competition. When it comes to Lexapro congenital birth defects, they are being pinched on both sides. In addition, makers of other drugs in the class are also facing plaintiffs’ claims.

At $1 million per settlement with Celexa lawsuit attorneys, Forest should expect a hefty payout even if it fights claims in court. Both the drug and Lexapro are linked to persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) side effects, which lead to brain abnormalities and problems with skull formation, as well as limb deformities and holes in the heart.

More families are becoming aware of PPHN side effects, but that does not make the claims from people who used to take drugs with SSRI birth defect side effects go away. Larger companies like Pfizer Pharmaceutical may be able to handle the legal battles; Forest may not.

Families should take note of the company’s financial position if they are caring for a child with disabilities and the mother took Lexapro or related drugs during pregnancy. Legal remedies are available, so get started with a free consultation at the Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro & Prozac SSRI Antidepressant Birth Defect Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. It costs nothing, but could help with medical bills and lost wages for parents who need to act as caretakers for their children.

 

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Updated February 13th, 2013

 

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