Lexapro, generically known as escitalopram, is an antidepressant medication commonly prescribed to treat major depressive disorders and general anxiety conditions in adults. This medication is in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor class known as SSRI. Common side effects from Lexapro, including nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue and decreased sexual desire usually diminish over time. Serious side effects such as visual and auditory hallucinations, severe muscle stiffness, fever and rapid heartbeat may require medical treatment. Lexapro should not be prescribed to children, and has been linked to suicidal thoughts and actions when prescribed to adolescents and young adults.
The use of Lexapro has been linked to severe birth defects when taken by pregnant women. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issued a Public Health Advisory strongly warning physicians against prescribing this medication to pregnant women. Studies have shown that women who have taken Lexapro after the 20th week of pregnancy were at extremely high risk of giving birth to a child with severe birth defects. Birth defects linked to Lexapro include several types of heart defects, lung defects such as pulmonary stenosis, intestinal and abdominal wall defects, cranial defects, spina bifida and club foot. Persistent pulmonary hypertension, known as PPHN, is one of the most serious birth defects, often resulting in death.
PPHN is a life-threatening cardiopulmonary disorder that results when an infant's lungs do not expand after birth, causing insufficient oxygen in the blood flowing to the heart. The newborn's arteries remain restricted after birth, reducing the flow of oxygen into the blood. Infants born with this disorder are in respiratory distress and may die if the situation is not immediately reversed. Newborns with PPHN are immediately placed on a ventilator in attempts to restore oxygen levels. Sedation and medically-induced paralysis are often necessary. The outcome is bleak and if the condition is severe, it can result in immediate death. An infant born with a severe congenital heart defect may require multiple surgical procedures including a heart transplant. Children born with birth defects may suffer from disrupted neurological development and often need life-long medical care.
Anyone with a child born with birth defects after taking Lexapro during pregnancy should seek legal advice immediately. Families are encouraged to research legal options available for financial compensation. A law firm with personal injury and wrongful death litigation experience can analyze the legal issues involved in pursuing a claim against the manufacturer of Lexapro. A law firm specializing in pharmaceutical product liability will thoroughly review medical and hospital records, interview medical experts, and file a lawsuit seeking compensatory and punitive damages. It is important to seek legal advice immediately following the diagnosis of any type of birth defect, as most jurisdictions require that a lawsuit be filed within two years of the date of the incident, called the statute of limitations. Lawsuits brought against drug companies are often settled without trial, especially in cases alleging the manufacturer had prior knowledge of the risks involved with use of the medication and failed to warn the public of the risks. Faced with ongoing medical bills and the necessity of providing medical and supportive care to a child with birth defects can be financially and emotionally burdensome for families. Powerful drug companies must be held accountable for the devastating birth defects caused by the use of Lexapro.
