Cymbalta (duloxetine) is in a class of drugs known as SNRIs (Selective Serotonin/Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors) (similar to SSRIs) and is an antidepressant that is used to treat depression and anxiety.
 SSRIs have been linked to serious side effects including heart defects and persistant pulmonary hypertension in the newborn (PPHN) when taken by the mothers during pregnancy.
In July of 2006, the FDA issued a Health Advisory advising people of serious side effects if taking SNRI/SSRIs while pregnant. The New England Journal of Medicine published a study that showed mothers who took SNRIs such as Cymbalta during the second half of their pregnancy were six times more likely to have a baby with PPHN or heart defects.
An infant with PPHN suffers from constricted blood vessels in the lungs, preventing blood from being enriched with oxygen. During pregnancy, the baby's circulation is controlled by the placenta and the lungs are not used. After birth, however, circulation switches to the lungs and the ductus arteriosus then closes. In babies with PPHN the ductus arteriosus remains open, causing blood flow to continue bypassing the lungs.
The blood therefore does not enter the lungs, and is pumped back to the other organs of the body very low in oxygen. Without oxygen, the organs go into stress and put the infant's life at risk.
Persistant Pulmonary Hypertension in the Newborn is usually diagnosed within 12 hours of birth. Even if they are treated, babies may experience heart failure, brain hemorrhage, seizures, and organ damage. Ten to 20 percent of newborns who develop PPHN do not survive.
Babies with PPHN experience difficulty in breathing and bluish skin and may suffer long-term side effects including difficulty breathing, hearing loss, seizures, and developmental disorders.
PPHN occurs naturally in about one or two infants per 1,000 births, but if the baby is exposed to SSRIs during the second half of pregnancy the rate jumps to six to twelve infants per 1,000 births that developed PPHN.
Babies exposed to Cymbalta during gestation also suffer withdrawal symptoms such as incessant crying, agitation and sleeplessness. Cymbalta can also be transmitted to an infant being breast-fed.
Eli Lilly, makers of Cymbalta, have allegedly failed to adequately warn users that birth defects are a possible side effect of taking Cymbalta during pregnancy. Please contact a lawyer who may be able to help you gain restitution if your child was born with birth defects after being exposed to Cymbalta during pregnancy.
Cymbalta Birth Defects
If your child was born with heart defects, or developed persistant pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) you should speak to a lawyer about your case. Please click the link below and send your Cymbalta complaint to an attorney who will review your claim at no charge.
Last updated on Jan-31-07 |
YOUR STORIES
Publish your experience here for our readers to learn from.
|
Email
Home Page >> Potential Lawsuit >> Cymbalta
