Ky. Couple Sues Pfizer Over Daughter’s Effexor Birth Defects

Ky. Couple Sues Pfizer Over Daughter’s Effexor Birth Defects

By Amanda Antell

Brandie E. Windsor and John D. Justice of Kentucky are suing Pfizer Inc. for their daughter’s birth defects. The plaintiffs allege that the minor plaintiff was born with pulmonary hypertension of a newborn (PPHN) because Windsor took the antidepressant Effexor throughout her pregnancy.

Windsor had initially been prescribed Effexor for her depression, and says she was led to believe it was perfectly safe to take the medication during the time of her pregnancy. However, her daughter, called “M.L.J.” in this case, was born with PPHN and had to be placed in emergency medical care.  PPHN can be fatal for a newborn and is permanently debilitating in a lifetime. According to the Effexor birth defects lawsuit, M.L.J. continues to suffer from complications to this day.

Overview of Effexor Birth Defect Complications

Effexor (venlafaxine), manufactured by Pfizer, was first approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 1993. It is an antidepressant that is part of the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) family. Effexor is primarily prescribed to treat major depression and anxiety disorders. It has been widely praised by medical professionals and patients alike for its efficiency.

Effexor works by increasing the level of serotonin and norepinephrine in the spaces between the cells in the brain. These increased levels allow the brain moderate and stable transmission of electrical signals to the brain, which would ideally help stabilize the patient’s moods.

Despite its popularity, there has been recent concern over Effexor side effects, which may include birth defects. Over the years, the FDA has been receiving injury reports of birth defects in conjunction with mothers who took Effexor and SNRIs during their pregnancies.

A study published in March 2010 in the journal Pediatrics suggested a possible correlation between unborn fetuses exposed to antidepressants during the mother’s second or third trimester, and how the infants experienced developmental delays. According to the study, the children who were exposed to antidepressants, including Effexor, sat up sixteen days later and walked a month later than children who were not exposed to the antidepressants.

This Effexor birth defects lawsuit is Brandie E. Windsor and John D. Justice v. Pfizer Inc., Case No. 1:13-cv-03359-RPP, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

File an Effexor Lawsuit Today

If you believe that you or a loved one have been the victim of an SNRI birth defect, you have legal options. For more information, visit the Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro & Prozac SSRI Antidepressant Birth Defect Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. There, you can submit your claim for a free legal review and if it qualifies for legal action, a seasoned birth defect lawyer will contact you for a free, no-obligation consultation. You will be guided through the litigation process at no out-of-pocket expenses or hidden fees. The birth defect attorneys working this investigation do not get paid until you do.