The pharmaceutical industry has come up with numerous drugs to combat psychological disorders such as depression. However, the effectiveness of these drugs has often been called into question, especially since the usage of many of these is accompanied by severe side effects. Prozac is one such anti-depressant.
Prozac belongs to the class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The scientific view of depression is that it can be triggered by low levels of the brain's chemical serotonin. The claim of drugs such as Prozac lies in their formulation that forces the brain to maintain higher levels of serotonin in the brain to counter depression and other related disorders.
However, this drug is not without serious side effects, especially dangerous birth effects.
Although all of Prozac side effects are troublesome, birth defects are the most alarming ones. They can possibly have devastating results for the victims and their families. In 2007, keeping in view the gravity of the situation, the FDA required Prozac manufacturers to carry a Black Box Warning – the strictest precaution a drug can carry.
Prozac belongs to the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that taking this antidepressant during pregnancy may cause serious complications in the baby. The side effects experienced by pregnant women are the most severe. The use of Prozac during pregnancy is associated with the following birth defects that can severely diminish the quality of life of their babies.
PROzac, which is a brand name for Fluoxetine is prescribed to treat depression, panic disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), bulimia nervosa, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). PROzac can trigger the following side effects, which may require seeing a doctor at once:
A cleft lip is a facial defect affecting the infant's upper lip. Cleft lips can lead to problems with speech and language. The exposure to SSRIs, that includes Prozac, has been linked to cleft lips and cleft palates by The Cleft Lip & Palate Foundation of Smiles.
Club foot occurs when the bones, joints, muscles and blood vessels in an infant's leg and foot develop abnormally causing the foot to be turned inward and downward. This can cause pain and problems with mobility. The large majority of the reported cases of club foot that have been linked to Prozac have been in babies less than 1 month old and all of them were less than 1 year of age.
A fatal defect in the neural tube, Anencephaly is another common birth defect that is likely to occur if the mother took Prozac while pregnant.
Though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of Prozac for the treatment of adult and pediatric depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, bulimia nervosa, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, the drug comes with a black box warning. So those who have taken Prozac for the treatment of any of these disorders, especially pregnant women, their unborn babies are at a risk of developing dangerous birth defects.
The federal Prozac cases were moved to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana in 1992 by a federal judicial panel, ensuring more effective claim settlement. If you took Prozac during pregnancy and your child was born with birth defects, you may have grounds for filing a lawsuit to obtain financial compensation and punitive damages against the pain and suffering that you and your child has endured. As a parent of such a child, you will have to pay for increased medical expenses for the treatment of birth defects as well as any physical therapy and rehabilitation as needed. Any settlement obtained in this regard can improve the quality of your child's life.
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Q:How can one file a lawsuit for Prozac side effects?
A:If you or your loved one has suffered from the side effects of Prozac, it is better that you contact a Prozac lawyer. A Prozac lawyer will guide you about the lawsuit procedure and will also help you estimate the amount of compensation you may receive for the side effects.
Q:What are the side effects of Prozac?
A:Patients who use Prozac for the treatment of depression may go through a number of side effects. Common side effects of the drug include anxiousness, dry mouth, weakness, drowsiness, indigestion, loss of appetite, and throat irritation. Infrequent side effects of Prozac include hives, chills, trouble breathing, abnormal heart rate, hair loss, confusion, and chest pain.
Q:Can you tell me about Prozac long term side effects?
A:Prozac initially causes insomnia, restlessness, nausea, and tension headaches in patients. These side effects go away with the passage of time. However, one side effect that stays for a long time is an impact on the patient's sexual health. Long term use may also result in fatigue and memory problems.
Q:Please give me information about Prozac side effects children?
A:Although rare, Prozac can have some serious side effects in children. Children may go through thoughts about suicide or dying or they may attempt suicide or self injury. Other side effects include new or worsening anxiety, depression symptoms, severe agitation or restlessness, symptoms of mania, unusual changes in behavior, and problems with coordination.
Q:Can you give me some information about Prozac and depression?
A:Prozac belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). According to science, depression is triggered by low levels of serotonin in brain. Drugs like Prozac claim to be effective in maintaining higher levels of serotonin in the brain, so that depression can be treated along with other brain disorders. However, SSRIs including Prozac are not without dangerous side effects.
Q:Can you tell me about the common Prozac side effects?
A:There are a number of common side effects associated with the use of Prozac. These include sinus, throat irritation, dry mouth, indigestion, dizziness, chronic trouble sleeping, and excessive sweating . Patients may also face involuntary quivering, rash, loss of appetite, head pain, diarrhea, nervousness, weakness, and anxiousness after the intake of medicine.