Wellbutrin (bupropion hydrochloride) is an antidepressant manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. Wellbutrin is different from other SSRI antidepressants like Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac, and Lexapro. It has a different chemical make-up which means that it has different side effects and complications than the others.

Wellbutrin is commonly prescribed to pregnant women who are experiencing pregnancy depression. Wellbutrin is classified as a Pregnancy Category C drug by the Food and Drug Administration. Category C relates to the amount of risk on the fetus during pregnancy. It means that there has been evidence of damage to the fetus of animals in testing, but that there is currently not adequate evidence in human testing.

Recent studies have come out which claim that drugs such as Wellbutrin increase the risk of certain birth defects when taken during all or part of pregnancy. Some reports have reported a higher-than-expected number of malformations of the infants’ hearts and vessels in Wellbutrin-exposed babies.

Wellbutrin Birth Defects

Some potential birth defects that may be caused by Wellbutrin and pregnancy include:

Interrupted Aortic Arch (IAA) – Interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is a rare heart defect that usually happens with ventricular septal defect (VSD), ductus arteriosus, or more rarely aortopulmonary window ortruncus arteriosus. The defect is usually characterized by a malformed aorta. Usually, there is a hole between the ascending and descending thoracic aorta. The majority of cases require open heart surgery soon after the birth of the infant.

Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) – Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a rare congenital heart defect. Patients suffering from hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) experience the left portion of the heart being severely underdeveloped. Because the left side is unable to pump an adequate amount of blood to the body, the right part of the heart must make up for the left’s deficiency. The added stress on the right side of the heart can cause it to fail. It may eventually become weakened. In many cases, corrective surgery or a complete heart transplant is necessary in cases of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS).

Aortic Valve Stenosis (AVS) – Aortic valve stenosis (AVS), also known simply as aortic stenosis occurs when the aortic valve in the heart is unusually narrow. This problem region prevents the aortic valve from opening entirely which may restrict blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. Once the valve has been obstructed, the heart must work harder to circulate blood to the rest of the body. After prolonged strain on the heart, it may become weakened.

Coarctation of the Aorta (CoA) – Coarctation of the Aorta (CoA) is a congenital heart defect (present at birth) related to the aorta. Infants who suffer from coarctation of the aorta (CoA) must endure a narrowing of the passage through the aorta, the largest blood vessel from the heart. This narrowing of the aorta requires the heart to pump with more force propel blood through the passageway. Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) puts more stress on the heart and may exhaust the heart. In a lot of cases, coarctation of the aorta (CoA) may be treated successfully, but it must be managed carefully.

Mitral Valve Stenosis (MVS) – Mitral valve stenosis (MVS) is a rare congenital heart defect (present at birth) where the heart’s mitral valve is narrowed (stenotic). This malformed valve is not able to open suitably which may block blood flowing into the left ventricle, the primary blood-pumping chamber of the heart. Some symptoms of Mitral valve stenosis (MVS) include being tired and short of breath.

Wellbutrin Birth Defects Lawsuit: Speak to an Attorney

Many new parents ask themselves what was the cause of my child’s birth defects? Did it happen during pregnancy? The antidepressant Wellbutrin may be linked to causing the development of birth defects in unborn babies, infants, and children when their mothers took antidepressants while pregnant.

Our law firm is handling individual birth defect lawsuits against drug and pharmaceutical companies and currently accepting new Wellbutrin cases across the nation. If your child was born with a birth injury that you believe may have been caused by taking an antidepressant like Wellbutrin during pregnancy, then you should contact our law firm as soon as possible for a free confidential review of your potential birth defect lawsuit case. All cases are handled on a Contingency Fee Basis (no attorney’s fees or expenses charged unless we recover for you.