FDA Pregnancy Categories
The United States Food and Drug Administration uses a classification system in order to categorize prescription drugs according to their potential risks posed to a developing fetus if taken by an expectant mother during pregnancy. Currently Lexapro and many other SSRI antidepressants are in “Category C” which the FDA describes as following:
Lexapro Pregnancy Category C
Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.
Paxil, another SSRI antidepressant medication was recently moved to the more severe “Category D” after adequate testing demonstrated a risk in human studies. Speculation suggests that soon all SSRI antidepressants will soon be class D.
What is Lexapro?
Lexapro is a kind of antidepressant medication called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI for short. SSRIs work by regulating the amount of serotonin in the brain; serotonin is believed to influence moods. In addition to Lexapro, other popular SSRI medications currently on the market include:
- Zoloft
- Paxil
- Celexa
- Prozac
Since 2002, Lexapro has been prescribed for the treatment of depression and anxiety in over 18,000,000 adult Americans. Sometimes Lexapro is also used for the treatment of teenagers 13-17. Because it is in FDA Pregnancy “Category C,” Lexapro can still be prescribed to female patients who are pregnant. However, research studies conducted by the New England Journal of Medicine and other medical journals suggest that taking Lexapro during pregnancy can result in a variety of terrible birth injuries to the children of these women.
Lexapro Pregnancy Birth Defects
Its classification in “Category C” means that Lexapro demonstrated risks to fetal development in animal studies, but medical case-studies also find a correlation between taking an SSRI during pregnancy and human birth defects as well. Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension and Congenital Heart Defects are some of the most frequently reported Lexapro Birth Defects. In July 2006, the FDA required SSRI medication labels (including Lexapro labels) to include a warning regarding increased risk of PPHN. Other potential Lexapro Birth Defects include club foot/bilateral club feet, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Limb Reductions, Cranial Skull Defects, and many others. In response to these birth defects, lawsuits have been filed by the mothers of children born with these defects against the pharmaceutical companies that make these medications.
Talk to a Lexapro Pregnancy Lawyer Today
If you had a child born with a serious birth defect and the mother was prescribed Lexapro (or other antidepressant) during any or all of the pregnancy, you may be eligible for financial compensation through a Lexapro Pregnancy Lawsuit. Call the Willis Law Firm today, so you can have your potential claim evaluated by a Texas Trial Lawyer with the Highest Peer Rating, who is also licensed in New York. The Willis Firm is accepting Lexapro Pregnancy lawsuits across the nation on a Contingency Fee Basis, meaning that no fees will be incurred unless we secure a recovery. Call today for your free confidential case assessment.