Research studies have implied that neurotransmitters are morphogens and have the capability to send signals to molecules during fetal development. One neurotransmitter in particular, serotonin, is believed to affect craniofacial development in particular. These research findings hold much relevance when considering that taking several SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) antidepressant medications while pregnant results in statistically significant higher rates of cranial birth defects, including craniosynostosis. Medications linked to cranial birth defects include:

• Effexor (Venlafaxine)
• Zoloft (Sertraline)
• Celexa (Citalopram)
• Paxil (Paroxetine)
• Prozac (Fluoxetine)
• Lexapro (Escitalopram)

Many of the birth defects (including cranial birth defects) that can result from taking Effexor (or other antidepressant medication) while pregnant are not only emotionally draining, but financially expensive as well. One potential method for recovering financial compensation is through filing an Effexor cranial birth defects lawsuit. A lawsuit against the company behind the drug is filed on the grounds that they did not perform their duty to perform sufficient testing and warn of potential side effects that could arise as a result of taking their product.

Effexor Craniosynostosis

Craniosynostosis, an Effexor cranial birth defect, is present when one or several sutures close prematurely. When a suture closes early, this adversely affects the shape of the infant’s head; which suture affects how the shape of the head is malformed. Although some cases of craniosynostosis occur as the result of genetics, the majority happen to babies with no hereditary predisposition, which suggests environmental factors like taking Effexor during pregnancy. Surgery is the main treatment for this Effexor cranial birth defect and accomplishes the following: alleviates pressure on the brain, allows enough space for the infant’s brain to grow and develop properly, and cosmetically enhance the appearance of the head. If craniosynostosis is not treated quickly, developmental delay and seizures can occur as potential complications.

Other Effexor Birth Defects

Cranial skull birth defects are only one category among many types of Effexor birth defects. August 2011 data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study found that taking Effexor while pregnant showed strong associations with a number of birth and congenital heart defects including: Anencephaly, Spina Bifida, Cleft Lip & Palate, Hypospadias, Limb Defects, Gastroschisis, Transposition of Great Arteries, Tetralogy of Fallot, Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstructions, Pulmonary Valve Stenosis, Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstructions, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, Coarctation of the Aorta, Ventricular Septal Defects, and Atrial Septal Defects. Other research has also indicated that taking Effexor while pregnant can also result in the following: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Club Foot/Bilateral Club Feet, Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn, Stomach Wall Defects/Omphalocele, as well as increased risk of miscarriage.

Effexor Lawsuit: File a Cranial Birth Defect Lawsuit

If you or someone you know took an SSRI or SNRI antidepressant while pregnant and had a child born with a cranial birth defect (or other birth defect), you should call the Willis Law Firm today for your free initial case evaluation. Our firm is currently reviewing antidepressant birth defect cases on a national level and can help you decide if an Effexor cranial birth defect lawsuit is right for you and your family. Call us today.

Because serotonin acts as a morphogen and sends messages regarding development during embryogenesis, an SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) medication, like Effexor, can adversely affect a baby as it develops if taken during pregnancy. Serotonin has specifically been linked to cardiac and cranial development, and this is why taking an SNRI or SSRI antidepressant while pregnant can result in congenital heart and cranial birth defects, like craniosynostosis. In 2011, the National Birth Defects Prevention Study found that when an expectant mother took Effexor during the pregnancy, the risk of the infant being born with craniosynostosis increased 50%. This statistically significant increased risk has resulted in the filing of lawsuits against the maker and distributer of Effexor, as well as several other popular antidepressant including: Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac, Lexapro and Celexa.

Effexor Craniosynostosis

Craniosynostosis, or the early closing of sutures, is a type of congenital defect that can result from taking Effexor or other antidepressants while pregnant. A suture is a fibrous connector between the individual bones in the skull; when one of these closes prematurely, the result is an irregularly shaped head. There are several different kinds of craniosynostosis depending on which suture/sutures close before time:

• Scaphocephaly: Also called sagittal synostosis; this form is more common in males and affects the top of the head, creating a broad forehead. Most common form of craniosynostosis.
• Frontal Plagiocephaly: Second most common form, occurs more frequently in females, affects the suture running from ear to ear.
• Metopic Synostosis: Rare type of craniosynostosis, ranges in severity, results in trigonocephalic head shape.

Effexor Craniosynostosis Symptoms and Complications

In the event of Effexor craniosynostosis, one or more of the following symptoms may be present: lack of fontanelle (“soft spot”) on infant’s skull, abnormal head shape, failure of head to grow over time, and raised ridges along sutures that are affected. Effexor craniosynostosis can also be diagnosed using neurological testing like x-rays, CT scans, and taking width measurements of the baby’s skull. Surgery is needed quickly following birth in order to make sure that the brain is not adversely affected. When left untreated, this cranial birth defect can result in both developmental delays as well as seizures and excessive intercranial pressure.

File an Effexor Craniosynostosis Lawsuit: Talk to an Attorney

Was your child born with craniosynostosis (or any other cranial, cardiac, or other congenital defect) following the prenatal exposure to Effexor or other antidepressant medication? If so, you may be legally entitled to a monetary settlement. Call the Willis Law Firm today and we can assist you by providing an Effexor birth defect lawsuit consultation completely free of charge and obligation.

When you decide to start or continue a prescription medication during pregnancy, it is a difficult decision to make. You want to have all of the available information about the potential side effects and risks that the medication could have for you and your developing child. It is the responsibility of the drug’s manufacturer to research that information and readily provide it to any potential consumers; when this fails to happen, often a lawsuit will be filed against the pharmaceutical company for related damages. In the case of the antidepressant medication Effexor, lawsuits have been filed against its maker, Wyeth, alleging that pregnant women were not adequately counseled and warned regarding the potential for serious birth defects, including the abdominal wall defect Omphalocele.

About Effexor Omphalocele

Omphalocele is a congenital (present at birth) abdominal wall defect that occurs when the muscles of the umbilical ring (stomach wall) fail to seal properly and the intestine sticks out of the umbilical cord. This Effexor birth defect can vary greatly in size; in a small defect only the intestines will protrude, but in a larger omphalocele the spleen or liver may also stick out. Of babies born with Effexor omphalocele, between twenty five and forty percent will have other birth defects present, such as a hernia or congenital heart defect. Other antidepressant medications that have been linked to Omphalocele include:

• Lexapro
• Prozac
• Zoloft
• Paxil
• Celexa

When taking an antidepressant medication like Effexor results in omphalocele, many families choose to pursue an Effexor omphalocele lawsuit in order to help with some of the financial burdens that accompany this medical condition.

Effexor Omphalocele Symptoms and Complications

Because Effexor omphalocele occurs outside of the body, this abdominal wall defect is readily visible at birth. Sometimes a prenatal ultrasound will recognize the presence of an omphalocele prior to birth as well. This type of Effexor birth defect is repaired with surgery in order to push its contents back to its appropriate location inside of the abdomen. When an omphalocele is too big to be put in the abdomen, it is necessary to wait until the skin grows around the sac, and further cosmetic repairs can be done later in life. Intestinal infections can occur with this defect and require medication as well. These various surgeries and treatments can be very costly, and sometimes an Effexor Omphalocele Lawsuit can help to provide some financial relief.

File an Effexor Omphalocele Lawsuit: Talk to an Attorney

Although located in Houston, the Willis Law Firm is currently reviewing antidepressant birth defect cases on a national scale. If your child was born with a birth injury that could have been related to maternal ingestion of an antidepressant (including Effexor), call us today. We may be able to help you file an Effexor Omphalocele Lawsuit. All birth defect cases are taken on a contingency fee basis; you will not be billed any legal fees unless a successful recovery is obtained.

Data released by the National Birth Defects Prevention Study in August of 2011 suggests that the likelihood of a baby being born with the congenital heart defect tetralogy of fallot (TOF) increases by about 50% when the mother takes the antidepressant drug Effexor while pregnant. This study was compiled using over 27,000 cases compiled over a period of ten years from 1997-2007. What makes this information especially reliable is that any cases with lurking variables, such as diabetes and taking other antidepressant medications, were excluded from the study. This lends extra credibility to all of the associations found between Effexor and birth defects. Tetralogy of Fallot was only one in a list of Effexor birth and heart defects studied, and the NBDPS found associations between taking Effexor while pregnant and all of the following:

• Anencephaly
• Spina Bifida
• Cleft Lip & Palate
• Hypospadias
• Upper and Lower Limb Defects
• Craniosynotosis
• Gastroschisis
• Transposition of Great Arteries/Vessels
• Tetralogy of Fallot
• Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
• Coarctation of the Aorta
• Septal Defects (Atrial & Ventricular)
• Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
• Effexor Tetralogy of Fallot

The word “tetralogy” is most commonly used as a literary term referring to a series of four connected works, and in the Effexor congenital heart defect Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) there are actually four related defects that comprise this condition. The four defects contributing to Effexor TOF are:

1. Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
2. Coarctation of the valve & artery between the heart and lungs
3. Aorta that has shifted over VSD and right ventricle
4. Condensed right ventricle

As with most congenital heart defects, the causes are believed to be genetic and environmental factors early in pregnancy; this is another reason why taking an antidepressant like Effexor during pregnancy (especially early in pregnancy) can pose an risk of birth defects, especially heart defects, to a developing fetus.

Effexor TOF Symptoms and Complications

The symptoms of Effexor tetralogy of fallot are similar to many of the other congenital heart defects characterized by poor levels of oxygen in the blood. One of the most noticeable TOF symptoms is cyanosis, or a blue-purplish tint to the skin, especially when the infant is upset. Cyanosis is a visible indicator that the blood does not have enough oxygen and is still blue in color. A patient with Effexor TOF may also fail to eat and grow normally as well as have problems breathing or potential seizures later in life. Surgery is typically done while the baby is still very young in order to augment the flow of blood to the lungs; sometimes, additional surgeries are also needed.

File a Tetralogy of Fallot Lawsuit: Talk to an Effexor Attorney

If your child was born with a birth defect following prenatal exposure to Effexor (or Lexapro, Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac, or Celexa), an Effexor Tetralogy of Fallot Lawsuit may be the right course of action for you and your child. Call the Willis Law Firm today for your free antidepressant birth defect lawsuit consultation. We will answer any questions you have, free of cost and free of obligation; contact us immediately, so we can help you get the compensation you may be entitled to.

When a prescription medication is believed to be the cause of an injury, it is important to hold the company behind the drug responsible for the harm and injuries that it caused. Because the pharmaceutical companies are profit driven, filing a lawsuit against a drug company is often an excellent way to hold them accountable for the damages caused. Recently, several widely prescribed antidepressant and anxiety drugs have been connected to several very serious and life-altering birth defects. The August 2011 National Birth Defects Prevention Study found an association between prenatal ingestion of the SNRI antidepressant Effexor and a number of birth and congenital heart defects, including transposition of the great vessels (TGV). The data collected in this study suggests that the probability of a baby being born with TGV is doubled when the mother was prescribed Effexor during pregnancy. Other birth defects with high correlation coefficients with maternal use of Effexor include:

• Neural Tube Defects: Anencephaly & Spina Bifida
• Cleft Lip & Cleft Palate
• Limb Defects
• Craniosynotosis
• Gastroschisis
• Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
• Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
• Coarctation of the Aorta
• Atrial & Ventricular Septal Defects
• Effexor Transposition of Great Vessels

Transposition of the great vessels, or TGV, is a type of congenital heart defect that affects the circulation of oxygen rich blood throughout the body. In a normally functioning heart, blood is pumped to the lungs in order to be properly oxygenated before returning to the heart and being circulated throughout the rest of the body. However, when Effexor transposition of the great vessels is present, the main vessels of the heart (aorta, pulmonary artery, superior and/or inferior vena cavae, and pulmonary veins) are connected abnormally and this circulatory process is adversely affected. When TGV only affects the pulmonary artery and aorta, this condition is called transposition of the great arteries.

Effexor TGV Symptoms and Complications

As a cyanotic heart defect, Effexor transposition of the great vessels is characterized by a lack of oxygen in the blood flowing from the heart to the other parts of the body. Cyanotic heart defects typically result in a bluish discoloration to the skin and breathing problems. Additionally, a baby born TGV may also have trouble eating/gaining weight or have clubbing of the toes and/or fingers. The treatment of this Effexor congenital heart defect begins with an IV administration of prostaglandin, a medicine that helps to open the ductus arteriosus to allow for the oxygen-poor and oxygen-rich bloods to mix. Within the first week of life, the baby will need surgery to switch the vessels back to their appropriate position. If the condition is not operated on, the baby will most likely only live a few months.

TGV Lawsuit: Speak to an Effexor Attorney

If your baby was born with transposition of the great vessles (or other birth defect) after the mother took an antidepressant medication while pregnant, you may be legally entitled to financial damages through an Effexor lawsuit. Call the Willis Law Firm today for a free birth defect case evaluation; our team is led by a board certified personal injury trial attorney with the highest peer review rating. Currently we are accepting birth defect clients nationwide for the following antidepressant medications: Effexor, Lexapro, Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil, and Celexa.

Taking prescription medications while pregnant is a difficult decision for an expectant mother to make, and when a child is born with a congenital defect linked to a medicine she took, it can be an especially devastating experience. According to several different medical research studies, the antidepressant medication Effexor (and several other antidepressant medications) has shown associations with a variety of different congenital heart and birth defects, including transposition of the great arteries (TGA). Because many women who took Effexor while pregnant were unaware of the potentially increased risk of this condition, the result has been widespread litigation against the makers and distributors of these antidepressant products. If your child was born with a birth defect following exposure to an SNRI or SSRI, an Effexor transposition of the great arteries lawsuit may be the right choice for you and your family.

Effexor Transposition of the Great Arteries

Transposition of the great arteries (TGA) is a rare congenital heart defect, and its rarity amongst the general population is one reason why its link to taking Effexor while pregnant is particularly noticeable. When this defect is present, the positioning of the two primary arteries, the Aorta and the Pulmonary artery, are switched and are attached to the incorrect ventricle. The result of this happening is that circulations are parallel instead of in a series and the body is deprived of oxygen. Without sufficient oxygen in the blood, the performances of many body systems suffer. Typically, Effexor transposition of the great arteries is detected within several weeks of birth.

Effexor Transposition of the Great Arteries Symptoms

The symptoms that accompany Effexor transposition of the great arteries are similar to the symptoms of several other congenital heart defects; for this reason it is important to obtain a diagnosis from a medical professional. Common symptoms of Effexor TGA include:

• Cyanosis (Discolored/blue tinted skin)
• Breathlessness
• Poor Appetite
• Trouble Gaining Weight

Transposition of Great Arteries can arise as the result of many environmental factors during pregnancy including poor nutrition, excessive alcohol consumption, poorly treated diabetes in mother, as well as the consumption of various prescription medications/drugs, including Effexor. Other antidepressants linked to congenital heart defects like TGA include: Zoloft, Lexapro, Paxil, Celexa, and Prozac. If not treated properly Effexor transposition of great arteries can result in hypoxia, heart failure, lung damage, and even death. Later in life TGA patients have also reported these associated medical conditions: leaky heart valves, arrhythmias, narrowing of coronary arteries, and even heart failure.

TGA Lawsuit: Speak to an Effexor Attorney Today

With a congenital heart defect like transposition of the great arteries, the treatment is crucial. You want to secure the best medical care for your child, and doing so can be quite expensive. If your child was born with a birth defect after being exposed to an antidepressant medication during fetal development, you may be eligible for financial compensation through an Effexor Transposition of Great Arteries Lawsuit. Call the Willis Law Firm immediately to have your potential claim reviewed confidentially and free of charge. The Willis Law Firm has a team of experienced legal professionals ready to assist you and answer any related questions you may have. Call us today.

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is regarded as one of the most difficult forms of congenital heart defect to treat in the medical community; sadly, it is also one of the types of defects linked to taking the antidepressant prescription Effexor while pregnant. The severity of this birth defect coupled with its potential to be prevented (through adequately warning female patients required to Effexor pregnancy risk factors) has resulted in the filing of multiple Effexor HLHS lawsuits across the country. In a large, population-based study regarding the association between Effexor use during pregnancy and various birth defects, the risk of left ventricular outflow tract obstructions (including HLHS) was found to be increased nearly three-fold when an infant was exposed to venlafaxine (Effexor) prior to birth. If your child was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome following Effexor exposure, your family may want to consider a birth defect lawsuit.

Effexor Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome takes place with part or all of the left side of the heart fails to develop to a critical degree. The main problem with hypoplastic left heart syndrome is that the babies are not able to get enough blood flowing throughout their body. In HLHS, the left ventricle fails to completely form and as a result is very small and nonfunctional. Effexor hypoplastic left heart syndrome can also manifest in other left heart pieces being underdeveloped and poorly functioning, including: the aorta, mitral valve, and the aortic valve. As a result of these various factors, an infant afflicted with hypoplastic left heart syndrome will be unable to provide its body with the amount of red blood that it needs in order for normal life functions.

Effexor HLHS Symptoms and Complications

When a baby is born with Effexor hypoplastic left heart syndrome, the defect and its symptoms may not be immediately detectable. However, with the passage of time, the presence of this defect will manifest through the following symptoms:

• Blue tint to skin from lack of oxygen in blood
• Cold extremities
• Fatigue
• Reduced pulse
• Poor feeding habits
• Rapid breathing/breathlessness

Once identified as having HLHS, the baby will be moved to an intensive care unit where a ventilator will most likely be used to aid in breathing. After being stabilized, the infant will need a series of 3 surgical procedures performed throughout the first 3 years of its life. In some cases, more surgery is required in adulthood if arrhythmias or other complications develop.

HLHS Lawsuit: Talk to an Effexor Birth Defects Attorney Today

The surgeries and medical attention required by a baby born with Effexor Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome can create a large financial and emotional burden on a family. This is why many afflicted with this congenital heart defect choose to file and Effexor HLHS lawsuit in order to seek financial damages. If your child was born with a birth defect following prenatal antidepressant exposure, call the Willis Law Firm today for your free case evaluation. Let us help you get the compensation that you may be legally entitled to.

Latin for “split spine,” spina bifida is a type of birth defect that happens when the backbone and the spinal canal fail to completely close prior to birth; it is also one of several congenital disorders linked to taking the antidepressant drug Effexor while pregnant by the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. According to the NBDPS findings released in August of 2011, twice as many infants as were expected exhibited spina bifida. Other Effexor birth defects, in addition to spina bifida, explored in this Effexor study included:

• Anencephaly
• Cleft Palate
• Limb Defects
• Craniosynostosis
• Gastroschisis
• Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
• Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
• Coarctation of the Aorta
• Atrial/Ventricular Septal Defects

Effexor Spina Bifida

Typically within the first four weeks of fetal development, the sides of the backbone fuse for the purpose of covering the sensitive nerves and tissues of the spinal cord. When this does not occur, the result is myelomeningocele, more commonly known as spina bifida or “cleft spine.” While there are multiple potential causes of this neural tube defect, environmental factors, including prenatal use of Effexor, are believed to play a role in some cases. Other antidepressant drugs that have been associated with spina bifida include: Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac, Lexapro, and Celexa. While this defect is easily observed at birth, it can also be detected through prenatal screening.

Effexor Spina Bifida Symptoms and Complications

When a child is born with Effexor Spina Bifida there is a heightened risk of other congenital defects being present. Around ninety percent of children with spina bifida also have hydrocephalus; many exhibit other spinal/musculoskeletal disorders as well. Commonly reported symptoms of Effexor spina bifida include: loss of bladder/bowel control, partial or complete loss of sensation, potential paralysis of the legs, club foot, hair in sacral area, hydrocephalus (excess fluid in skull), and others. After birth, surgery can be performed to correct the defect. However, prior to surgery, the infant must be handled extremely carefully in order to minimize any damage to exposed parts of the spinal cord. Antibiotics are also highly recommended in order to ward off associated infections. Although this condition is surgically treatable, it is important to note that much of the associated neurological damage is unfortunately irreversible. Further problems and complications can also set in later in life, especially during puberty. It is not uncommon for spina bifida patients to require the use of a wheelchair throughout life.

File an Effexor Lawsuit: Talk to a Birth Defects Lawyer Today

If your child was exposed to Effexor during pregnancy and born with spina bifida or other birth defect, you may be a viable candidate for an Effexor Spina Bifida Lawsuit. Call the Willis Law Firm today and we will conduct an initial case review, free of charge and completely confidentially. Filing an Effexor spina bifida lawsuit can provide valuable financial aid in the lifelong treatment of this serious birth defect. Call the Willis Law Firm today, and we will provide you with the answers you need in pursuing this path. We are currently accepting antidepressant birth defect lawsuits in all 50 states on a contingency fee basis; you will not be responsible for any legal fees unless a successful recovery is made.

Although neural tube defects are one of the most frequently occurring forms of birth defects, this does not make their incidence any less difficult for new parents to come to terms with. The prescription SNRI antidepressant Effexor has been linked to this category of congenital defect and is believed to increase their occurrence by alarming rates when taken during pregnancy. As a pregnancy “Category C” drug, Effexor is still being used in the treatment of anxiety and depression in pregnant women, despite evidence of risk to the fetus in animal reproductive studies. Other antidepressants that have been linked to similar birth defects include: Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, Prozac, and Celexa. Lawsuits have been filed against the makers of all of these various prescriptions, and as more research takes place, further litigation is expected.

Effexor Neural Tube Defects

A neural tube defect happens when there is any opening in the spinal cord or brain; the process of fusion of the neural tube happens very early in pregnancy, so it is extremely sensitive to environmental factors, like the substances ingested by the expectant mother. Two types of Neural Tube Defects that have been linked to prenatal use of Effexor include: Anencephaly and Spina Bifida.

Effexor Anencephaly

Anencephaly is a particularly devastating type of neural tube defect that happens when the top of the neural tube fails to seal; the result is missing parts of both the skull and the brain. If born with Effexor Anencephaly, an infant will most likely be deaf, blind, and fail to ever gain consciousness. Unfortunately, there is no treatment currently available for this disorder, and the child will either be stillborn or die shortly following birth. August 2011 data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study suggests that anencephaly is 6.1 times more likely to occur in infants exposed to Effexor (venlafaxine) prior to birth.

Effexor Spina Bifida

When the sides of the spine fail to close and cover the spinal cord, spina bifida (or myelomeningocele/cleft spine) is present. Spina bifida can vary in severity, and unlike anencephaly, there are various treatment options (including surgery) that are available. Unfortunately, the nerve/neurological damage that accompany spina bifida are typically irreversible. Spina bifida can also worsen over time. The National Birth Defects Prevention Study mentioned above found that the risk of spina bifida was doubled when a mother took Effexor while pregnant.

Effexor Neural Tube Defects Lawsuit: Talk to an Attorney

Despite being a more common form of birth defect, neural tube defects can be very scary and potentially devastating to the families they affect. If your child was born with a neural tube defect following prenatal exposure to an antidepressant medication (including Effexor), you should call the Willis Law Firm today in order to discuss the option of an Effexor Neural Tube Defect Lawsuit. Your family may be legally entitled to a substantial amount of financial assistance. Call us today, and we will provide a free initial case evaluation completely free of obligation.

Antidepressant drug venlafaxine, more commonly known by its brand name Effexor, has been available for the treatment of several different psychological disorders since it came out in the mid 1990’s. Effexor is available in both a normal and extended release format and used for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorders as well. As a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, Effexor supplements the levels of both of these neurotransmitters in an effort to stabilize mood disorders. Unfortunately, the neurotransmitter serotonin is believed to be a morphogen that can adversely affect both craniofacial and cardiac fetal development. For this reason, Effexor can be potentially dangerous is taken while pregnant and can result in several congenital heart defects, including Pulmonary Stenosis. Recent clinical research studying the association between antidepressants and birth defects has resulted in the increased filing of Effexor birth defect lawsuits by the victims of these defects.

Effexor Pulmonary Stenosis

The heart begins to form very early in a pregnancy, and cardiac development is very susceptible to environmental elements (like prescription medications); when a mother takes any medication during pregnancy, the baby is also exposed to the contents of the drugs. Prenatal exposure to Effexor can result in pulmonary stenosis, a condition in which the heart valves are not able to easily open for the permission of blood flow to the lungs. There are four types of Effexor pulmonary stenosis:

1. Valvar Pulmonary Stenosis
2. Subvalvar Pulmonary Stenosis
3. Branch Peripheral Pulmonic Stenosis
4. Supravalvar Pulmonary Stenosis

The severity of Pulmonary Stenosis is based on the degree to which the blood flow is restricted. While mild cases may exhibit few or no symptoms, pulmonary stenosis can worsen over time and potentially lead to complications over time.

Effexor Pulmonary Stenosis Symptoms and Complications

Pulmonary stenosis is often discovered when a doctor recognizes a heart murmur or any of the following pulmonary stenosis symptoms: breathlessness, exhaustion, quick breathing, swelling (in feet, eyelids, face, stomach, or ankles), or infrequent urination. The condition is typically diagnosed by a pediatric cardiologist using on or more of the following tests: x-ray, catheterization, ECG/EKG, or an electrocardiogram. Treatment options also vary depending on severity of the defect and include: balloon dilation, valvectomy, valve replacement, valvotomy, patch enlargement, and others. Sometimes stabilization in an intensive care unit is necessary before any more permanent treatment options can be attempted. If born with Effexor Pulmonary Stenosis, your child will also require lifelong cardiac monitoring and care, as well as potential further surgeries.

Effexor Pulmonary Stenosis Lawsuit: Talk to an Effexor Attorney

If your child was born with Pulmonary Stenosis or other birth defect following exposure to an antidepressant medication (including Effexor) during pregnancy, you may want to file an Effexor Pulmonary Stenosis Lawsuit. Call the Willis Law Firm today, and we will help you explore this option by conducting a free and confidential lawsuit evaluation. You may be eligible for financial compensation from the companies behind these potentially dangerous drugs; call us today. Although primarily located in Houston, the Willis Law Firm is currently reviewing Effexor Birth Defect cases nationwide.