The popular antidepressant Zoloft is the target of an MDL (multidistrict litigation) making its way through the legal system.

Five Zoloft lawsuits alleging that the medication caused birth defects in children born to mothers who took Zoloft while pregnant have been selected to go to trial in early 2016 in a Pennsylvania federal court.

One of the birth defect lawsuits included in the Zoloft MDL was filed by plaintiff Deidre L., who alleges that her use of Zoloft during pregnancy caused her son’s birth defects, including a severe heart defect that led to multiple corrective surgeries.

Pfizer, Zoloft’s manufacturer, has argued in other trials that the rate for birth defects in the general population is 3 to 5 percent, and that the percentage is no different among women who use Zoloft during pregnancy.

Pfizer has been successful with that argument in the past. A Missouri state court ruled in Pfizer’s favor during a trial in which a woman said taking Zoloft during pregnancy led to her son’s heart problems at birth.

In a multidistrict litigation such as the one Deidre is involved in, the first few trials set the tone for what will likely happen in future trials. Plaintiffs in the Zoloft MDL will be keeping a close eye come January to see how the cases play out, and what the rulings and outcomes may mean for their own cases.

The Zoloft SSRI Birth Defects Lawsuit is In Re: Zoloft (Sertraline Hydrochloride) Products Liability Litigation, Case No. 2:12-md-02342, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Antidepressants and Birth Defects

Antidepressant drugs, especially SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) have been linked to a number of birth defects, especially when expectant mothers took the medications while pregnant.

SSRIs affect the body by blocking the reabsorption of the neurotransmitter serotonin, thereby allowing it to be active longer to balance out brain chemistry. In addition to Zoloft, other SSRIs include Prozac, Celexa, Lexapro, Luvox and Paxil.

SNRI (serotonin norepinepherine reuptake inhibitors) work a bit differently than SSRIs, as they affect the levels of two neurotransmitters, serotonin and norepinepherine. However, these drugs have also been linked to birth defects. Effexor, Cymbalta, and Pristiq are commonly used antidepressants in this class.

The birth defects associated with antidepressant use can be severe or even fatal. Some of the most common defects include:

• Cleft lip or cleft palate
• Down Syndrome
• “Hole in the heart,” also known as septal defect
• Club foot
• Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
• Neural tube defects
• Undescended testes in males
• Anacephaly (part of the brain is missing)

Due to ethics, studies have not been done on pregnant women and are only retrospective. Though most antidepressants are deemed “likely safe” during pregnancy and doctors are told to weigh the risks and benefits of prescribing antidepressants to pregnant women, those who have had babies born with birth defects feel that the warnings need to be stronger and more clear so women can make a more informed choice before electing to take antidepressants during pregnancy.

SSRI Birth Defects Lawsuit Information

If your baby was born with birth defects or other problems and you took SSRI antidepressant medication while pregnant, you may be eligible for legal compensation. Our compassionate attorneys are available to guide you in understanding your legal rights. Consultations are offered free of charge.