Will Zoloft Cause Birth Defects?
April 6, 2012 By McEwen Law Firm Ltd
This question of whether Zoloft causes birth defects likely brought you here for two reasons. #1: You’re currently taking an antidepressant like Zoloft and you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant. #2: Your child was born with a birth defect and you want to know if Zoloft was responsible in causing the injury.
#1: You’re currently taking an antidepressant like Zoloft and you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant. If you find yourself in this situation it is commendable that you are concerned enough about your child’s health to seek this information. While any and all medical advice should come from your physician we can provide some information that you can discuss with him or her.
If your anxiety/depression/etc symptoms are mild, it may be a smart idea to gradually wean off Zoloft, especially during your third trimester and ideally throughout the entire pregnancy. Since there are linkages between Zoloft and birth defects, this risk can be avoided if the use of Zoloft is discontinued during this critical period.
However, for those with severe cases of depression, it is quite possibly safer for you and your child to continue use throughout pregnancy (this also needs to be discussed with your physician). In these rarer cases, the benefits of the drug will actually outweigh the risks presented to you and your child by the cessation of taking Zoloft throughout pregnancy.
#2: Your child was born with a birth defect and you want to know if Zoloft was responsible in causing the injury. These injuries include (but are not limited to) Pulmonary Hypertension, a reduction in cognitive abilities, cleft lip or cleft palate, or heart defects that may include holes in one of the chambers of the heart.
If your child was born with any of these, or similar injuries, then there is a high likelihood that Zoloft was indeed responsible. Studies have shown that amounts of Zoloft are passed to the child in utero and there are many studies showing the linkages between Zoloft use during pregnancy and birth defects. Zoloft has also been found to pass through breast milk, for those who are or are contemplating breastfeeding your child while taking Zoloft – also worth discussing with your physician.
So does Zoloft cause birth defects? The answer lies within your individual situation and circumstances. Fortunately, the specialized Zoloft Lawyers at McEwen Law have the resources to start working on your case immediately and can help make this process as comfortable and stress-free as possible. We understand that this is undoubtedly a difficult time in your family’s life and we want to do everything we can to help ease the burden. As always, our case evaluations are free.
AUTHOR: Zoloft Lawyers - McEwen Law
Copyright McEwen Law Firm Ltd
More information about McEwen Law Firm Ltd
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
If your anxiety/depression/etc symptoms are mild, it may be a smart idea to gradually wean off Zoloft, especially during your third trimester and ideally throughout the entire pregnancy. Since there are linkages between Zoloft and birth defects, this risk can be avoided if the use of Zoloft is discontinued during this critical period.
However, for those with severe cases of depression, it is quite possibly safer for you and your child to continue use throughout pregnancy (this also needs to be discussed with your physician). In these rarer cases, the benefits of the drug will actually outweigh the risks presented to you and your child by the cessation of taking Zoloft throughout pregnancy.
#2: Your child was born with a birth defect and you want to know if Zoloft was responsible in causing the injury. These injuries include (but are not limited to) Pulmonary Hypertension, a reduction in cognitive abilities, cleft lip or cleft palate, or heart defects that may include holes in one of the chambers of the heart.
If your child was born with any of these, or similar injuries, then there is a high likelihood that Zoloft was indeed responsible. Studies have shown that amounts of Zoloft are passed to the child in utero and there are many studies showing the linkages between Zoloft use during pregnancy and birth defects. Zoloft has also been found to pass through breast milk, for those who are or are contemplating breastfeeding your child while taking Zoloft – also worth discussing with your physician.
So does Zoloft cause birth defects? The answer lies within your individual situation and circumstances. Fortunately, the specialized Zoloft Lawyers at McEwen Law have the resources to start working on your case immediately and can help make this process as comfortable and stress-free as possible. We understand that this is undoubtedly a difficult time in your family’s life and we want to do everything we can to help ease the burden. As always, our case evaluations are free.
AUTHOR: Zoloft Lawyers - McEwen Law
Copyright McEwen Law Firm Ltd
More information about McEwen Law Firm Ltd
View all articles published by McEwen Law Firm Ltd
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
