What is Lexapro?
Lexapro, generic name Escitalopram, is a type of prescription antidepressant medication distributed by Forest Laboratories, Inc. Lexapro is in a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that work by restoring chemical balances in the brain that are believed to affect mood. Other popular SSRI prescriptions include Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac, and Celexa. To date, Lexapro has been prescribed to somewhere over 18 million adults in the United States for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and several other conditions. Sometimes Lexapro is used in the treatment of adolescents as well.
Lexapro Birth Defects
Although Lexpro is used for the treatment of mood disorders, it has recently been the subject of several research projects which seek to establish a link between Lexapro taken during pregnancy and the following adverse birth effects. Lexapro (and other SSRI) use during the 1st trimester of pregnancy is associated with following increased risks of congenital defects: Omphalocele (6X), Anal atresia and limb reduction defects (4X), and Septal defects (2X). Other reported birth defects and congenital heart defects to children born to women that took Lexapro (and other associated SSRIs) during fetal development include, but are not limited to the following:
- Atrial or Ventricular Septal Defects (Holes in the Heart Wall)
- Heart Valve Defects
- Neural Tube Defects (including Spina Bifida)
- Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN)
- Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Transposition of Great Arteries (TGA)
- Coarctation of the Aorta (CoA)
- Tetrology of Fallot (TOF)
- Pulmonary Valve Stenosis (PVS)
- Club Foot/Bilateral Club Feet
- Double Outlet Right Ventricle (DORV)
- Abdominal Defects (including Omphalocele)
- Cranial Skull Defects (Craniosynostosis)
- Ebsteins Anomaly
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
- Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (TAPVR)
Many of these conditions require surgery or hospitalization for treatment, while others require a lifetime of monitoring and care. The costs to a family dealing with any one or combination of these conditions includes not only financial costs, but also emotional and physical costs as well. For this reason, a Lexapro Pregnancy lawsuit is often a good method when seeking financial compensation for these types of suffering.
Lexapro Pregnancy Lawsuit – Talk to a Lawyer
If your child was born with serious birth defects and the mother was taking Lexapro (or any other SSRI antidepressants, anti-psychotic or seizure and/or epilepsy medications) throughout any part or all of the pregnancy, call this Willis Law Firm for a Free & Confidential Antidepressant Lawsuit Assesment. You and your child may have grounds for a Lexapro lawsuit that could result in monetary compensation for their injuries. Call today to get information about filing a Lexapro Pregnancy Lawsuit, and help hold manufacturers responsible for the damages caused by their dangerous drugs.