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Zoloft Heart Birth Defects

Zoloft (the generic name is sertraline) is a drug used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. It belongs to the group of antidepressants known as Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).

Zoloft heart birth defectsThe federal Food and Drug Administration categorizes this anti-depressant prescrip-tion drug in the pregnancy Category C. This label means that it is possible animal studies have indicated fetal harm from maternal use of the drug, but human trials have not yet determined that the risks of using Zoloft during pregnancy outweigh the drug's intended benefits.


Medical experts do know that Zoloft is transferred to a fetus or baby through both the placenta and breast milk.

Although research has not yet established a link specifically between taking Zoloft and coronary birth defects (it would be a violation of medical ethics to perform studies on pregnant women), it is known that other antidepressants increase the risk of heart birth defects when taken during pregnancy. Paxil (paroxetine), which is in the same group of SSRIs as Zoloft, is known to cause heart birth defects in babies when taken during pregnancy.

What is also known is that there is a link between other SSRIs and congenital malformations, including cardiac malformations. A recent study conducted at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark revealed that the risk of pregnant women giving birth to babies with birth defects, including heart defects, was increased among women who had prescriptions for SSRIs filled in the 30 days before conception through the end of the first trimester, compared with those who had no SSRI prescriptions filled during the same period.

To reduce the risk of an antidepressant birth defect, pregnant women should avoid antidepressants - especially SSRIs, and that includes Zoloft - when possible.

Zoloft Legal Help

If you took Zoloft while pregnant, and delivered a baby with heart defects, a lawyer may be able to help you. Please send your details to an attorney by clicking the link below for a free claim evaluation.


Posted on Nov-16-06
Updated on Sep-25-09

ZOLOFT ARTICLES AND INTERVIEWS

Government Agencies Warn Against Zoloft During Pregnancy
Government Agencies Warn Against Zoloft During Pregnancy Washington, DC: If you want a healthy baby, government agencies in both Canada and the United States warn that you might want to quit taking Zoloft during pregnancy. Last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and its Canadian counterpart, Health Canada, both issued warnings about combining Zoloft and pregnancy. [ Read More ]

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