Houston Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) Lawyer

Many SSRI medications have been available in the U.S. since Prozac was first approved by the FDA. Some of these include:

• Celexa (citalopram), made by Forest Laboratories (Forest)
• Lexapro, (escitalopram), made by Forest
• Luvox (fluvoxamine), made by Solvay
• Paxil (paroxetine), made by GlaxoSmithKline
• Zoloft (sertraline), made by Pfizer, Inc.

SSRI medications have been linked to some serious complications, the most severe of which can be life-threatening. These include (but may not be limited to):

• Birth defects and autism – Taking certain SSRIs during pregnancy can increase the risk of birth defects, including cleft palate, heart defects, respiratory distress, and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). Some SSRIs can also reportedly increase the risk of autism in babies. A 2015 study found that taking certain SSRIs during pregnancy, specifically in the second or third trimester, could double the risk of autism in newborns.³
• Bleeding – When some SSRIs are taken with anticoagulants (like Pradaxa) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), uncontrolled bleeding events can occur. These events can include gastrointestinal bleeding, postoperative bleeding, and/or intracranial bleeding.
• Bone fractures – SSRI drugs have been linked to loss of bone density, contributing to an increased risk of bone fractures, particularly among older patients.
• Serotonin syndrome – Characterized by tremors, muscle rigidity, fever, kidney failure, and/or seizures, this condition can be fatal without treatment. Those who take high-dose SSRIs or who take more than one SSRI medication tend to have the greatest risk of this complication.
• Suicidal thoughts and actions – This complication is most likely to impact those who are starting a course of SSRI medication, as well as patients under 25 years old, those who have (or who have a family history of) bipolar disorder, and those who have previously attempted suicide.

Over the past few decades, the FDA has issued a number of safety communications and warnings regarding SSRI drugs. Some of these include:

• A December 2011 Warning, alerting the public about the risks of birth defects when taking SSRIs during pregnancy⁴
• A May 2007 Safety Communication, notifying the public that the Agency was requiring SSRI manufacturers to include black box warnings (on drug labels and medication guides) regarding the risks of suicidal thoughts and behaviors⁵
• A July 2006 Warning, alerting the public to the risks of serotonin syndrome when taking SSRIs.⁶

To date, thousands of lawsuits have been filed against the makers of SSRIs, alleging that:

• SSRI drugs caused severe, if not deadly, complications.
• SSRI drug makers failed to warn the public about the serious risks associated with these medications.

The growing number of these claims has spurred the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) to establish MDLs for some of these cases. Some of the SSRI MDLs include the:

• Zoloft MDL (MDL No. 2342), based in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania⁷
• Celexa and Lexapro MDL (MDL No. 2067), based in the U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts⁸
• Paxil MDL (MDL No. 1574), based in the U.S. District Court, Central District of California
• Prozac MDL (MDL No. 907), based in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana.

The intent behind these MDLs has been to facilitate pretrial proceedings while establishing consistent rulings across similar claims. Although some of these MDLs have been closed via settlements, others remain active and ongoing.

For new SSRI claims, plaintiffs may have a choice to join an ongoing MDL or to proceed with an individual case (outside of the MDL). A lawyer at the Amaro Law Firm can explain the best option for your claim, after reviewing the details and discussing your needs and objectives.

A dangerous drug lawyer at the Amaro Law Firm is ready to partner with you in the pursuit of recovery and justice if you or a loved one has been seriously injured by any SSRI drug.

Call (713) 352-7975, Text (281) 612-8024, or Email Our Firm for your FREE consultation and helpful advice regarding your potential claim.

Backed by more than 20 years of legal experience, our attorneys have the insight, skills, and resources you can count on for exceptional advocacy as we help you navigate the complex process.

The Amaro Law Firm has a proven record of success in dangerous drug injury claims (and other personal injury claims), as affirmed by testimonials from our former clients and our 5-star ratings on Google and Facebook.

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1: FDA Approval of Prozac
2: According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
3: 2015 SSRI Study
4: 2011 FDA Alert about SSRIs & Birth Defects
5: 2007 FDA Alert about SSRIs & Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors
6: 2006 FDA Alert about SSRIs & Serotonin Syndrome
7: Zoloft MDL Home Page
8: Celexa & Lexapro MDL Home Page