Lawsuit Says Effexor Caused Cleft Palate in Plainitff’s Child

Pennsylvania plaintiff Alesia Burridge is suing Pfizer Inc. for the birth defects her child, L.Z., was born with after she ingested Effexor during her pregnancy. According to her Effexor lawsuit, the child was born on July 3, 2011 with multiple congenital birth defects, including cleft palate. Burridge alleges that these birth defects were directly caused by ingesting Effexor while she was pregnant.

According to the birth defects lawsuit, Burridge was prescribed Effexor during her pregnancy, and she took the drug throughout her entire gestation period. She was prescribed the medication to treat her depression, and was led to believe it would be safe to take during her pregnancy. However, her child was born with multiple birth defects and had to be placed under medical supervision.

Due to these birth defects, the child will reportedly never be able to experience a normal life, and will need medical care for the rest of his or her life, the lawsuit says. Burridge states that if she had known about the possibility of Effexor birth defects, she never would have opted for the medication. She says there were no warnings or indications on the medication’s labeling. In her Effexor lawsuit, Burridge states that it was Pfizer’s responsibility to warn her of the risk of birth defects, because she was relying on the accuracy of the given information.

Burridge is suing Pfizer for being directly responsible for manufacturing, selling, distributing and marketing a dangerous drug. The charges include negligence, false advertising, concealing information and misrepresenting a product.

Overview of Effexor Complications

Effexor (Venlafaxine) is a powerful antidepressant that is manufactured by Pfizer, and was first approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 1993. This medication is primarily prescribed to adult patients with treat major depression and anxiety disorders.

Unlike most antidepressants, Effexor is a part of the SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) family, meaning that it affects the brain in the same way as most antidepressants. The SNRI antidepressants are known for behaving like traditional antidepressants in the patient’s body, but have a more effective reputation.

The key mechanism for SNRI antidepressants is that they affect both the brain’s norepinephrine and serotonin. The drug increases the level of serotonin and norepinephrine in the spaces between the cells in the brain. These increased levels allow the brain to stabilize its electrical signals, which allows the drug to level the emotions in the brain without putting the body through heavy side effects. Despite its popularity, there has been recent concern over the possible correlation of this medication causing birth defects when a woman takes the drug while pregnant.

Burridge is seeking damages for pain and suffering, medical compensation, and other punitive damages.

This Effexor birth defects lawsuit is Alesia Burridge v. Pfizer Inc., et al., Case No. 3:13-cv-01778-MEM, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

File an Effexor Lawsuit Today

Studies have shown that women who take SSRI antidepressants during the first trimester of pregnancy are more likely to give birth to a child with congenital defects. These congenital defects include:

• ASD/VSD (hole in heart)
• Hypoplastic Left Heart or Right Heart Syndrome
• Tetralogy of Fallot
• Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
• Other heart malformation or heart defect
• Cleft Palate or Cleft Lip
• Spina Bifida
• Omphalocele
• Club foot

If you took an antidepressant such as Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft or Effexor and your child was born with one or more of the birth defects listed above, you may qualify to pursue compensation from the drug manufacturer. Your child must be under the age of 18 and had surgery to correct his or congenital defects. Learn more and obtain a free case review at the SSRI Antidepressant Birth Defect Class Action Lawsuit Investigation.