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Prozac (fluoxetine) is a prescription antidepressant drug in a class called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). This class of medicines acts on the serotonin (a neurotransmitter) in the brain to relieve the symptoms of certain psychological ailments. In 1987, the FDA approved Prozac for the treatment of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic attacks, and some eating disorders. Prozac is also prescribed off-label to treat such conditions as alcoholism, attention deficit disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, sleep problems, phobias, and more.

While Prozac has been hailed by some as an effective treatment for a wide array of disorders, this drug is associated with serious side effects. Current labeling for Prozac carries a black box warning, the strictest warning short of a recall, to communicate the increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions among children taking Prozac. In the mid-1990s, studies found that taking Prozac early in pregnancy could result in birth defects. They also concluded that taking Prozac late in pregnancy could result in premature birth and perinatal (the time around birth) complications.

Now, almost ten years later, another major study indicates that Prozac use during pregnancy can result in significant damage to the newborn. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in February 2006 indicates that taking Prozac during the third trimester of pregnancy can more than double the risk that a child will develop a rare, but life-threatening, respiratory condition called Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN). This serious risk only appears to apply to the SSRI fluoxetine: researchers have not established a link between other SSRIs and an increased risk of PPHN. Researchers also note that women taking Prozac during the first and second trimesters did not appear to be at an increased risk of delivering a child with PPHN.

Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN) is a serious condition that can develop shortly after birth or within the first few days of life. Approximately ten to twenty percent of all infants who develop this condition will die, despite all treatment efforts. PPHN is a medical emergency, which often requires intubation and mechanical ventilation. In some cases, a complicated and somewhat risky surgical procedure is required to stabilize an infant with PPHN.

If your child developed PPHN and you used Prozac during your third trimester, please contact us for a free legal consultation. Our qualified attorneys can examine the facts in your case to determine the best way to protect and maximize your legal interests. You may be eligible to seek compensation for your medical expenses, losses, and suffering.

Washington DC Personal Injury Lawyer