Septal Congenital Heart Defects, Paxil Antidepressant

Millions of women take antidepressants like Paxil. While Paxil may aid with depression, Paxil may also increase the risks of septal congenital heart defects in newborns.

At the FDA's request, GlaxoSmithKline, drug maker of Paxil, altered Paxil's pregnancy category from C to D and added new data and recommendations to the “Warnings” section of the prescribing information.

Observed in studies, most of the heart defects were atrial septal defects (ASD) or ventricular septal defects (VSD), conditions in which the wall between the right and left sides of the heart is not completely developed.

Atrial septal defect is a congenital heart defect which enables blood flow between the left and right atria via the interatrial septum.

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Fortunately, many atrial septal defects close without treatment during childhood or any intervention. But for the atrial septal defects that don't close, many do eventually require surgery to be corrected.

A ventricular septal defect is usually symptom-free at birth, but becomes known or discernible a few weeks after birth. This condition is associated with other congenital conditions like Down syndrome.

A large ventricular septal defect that is large will require surgery to close the defect. Newborns will likely have the surgery within the first year of life.

Wellbutrin, another popular antidepressant, has been linked to heart-related birth defects too for women who took the drug one month prior to getting pregnant and during the first trimester of pregnancy.

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A recovery from a Paxil or Wellbutrin lawsuit can help your family with the mountain of medical bills, your child's pain and suffering, and your time lost from work and family. Recovery from a Paxil lawsuit ensures that as your child gets older, he or she gets the best treatment possible. How can Monheit Law help you?