Luvox and Congenital Birth Defects

Luvox is recognized as an SSRI or Selective Serotonin Reputake Inhibitor – it is used to treat social phobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Luvox has been prescribed to as many as 30 million patients since it was first put on the pharmaceutical market in 1994.

Unfortunately, patients and doctors were not fully aware of the potential side effects of Luvox, particularly to pregnant women. It was later discovered that certain chemicals in SSRI drugs including Luvox could cause congenital birth defects in children. These Luvox birth defects are serious and can require surgeries to correct the medical issue.

Potential Luvox Birth Defects

Luvox has been linked with the potential to cause congenital birth defects such abdominal defects, cranial defects, heart defects, and PPHN (Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension).

The cranial defects that may occur as a result of exposure to Luvox during pregnancy include cleft lip and cleft palate. Cleft lip affects the upper lip, and it can either be a small opening or a large opening extending to the nasal area. Cleft palate affects the roof of the mouth, and is an opening extending upwards into the nasal passages.

Luvox has also been linked with the potential to cause heart defects in newborns. Many of these heart conditions can be treated through surgery if they are caught early on it in the infant’s life. Unfortunately, multiple surgeries may be required, possibly into adulthood. The potential congenital heart defects include:

• Atrial septal defects (ASD)
• Ventricular septal defects (VSD)
• Tetrology of fallot (ToF)
• Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS)
• Transposition of the great arteries (TGA or TOGA)
• Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
• Total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR)
• Double outlet right ventricle (DORV)
• Coarctation of the aorta (CoA)

PPHN is also a possible congenital birth defect caused by Luvox. PPHN is a condition that causes the blood pressure in the lungs to be low – which causes higher blood pressure in the heart. As a result, there is an insufficient amount of oxygen being released throughout the bloodstream.

How to Start a Luvox Lawsuit

Although Salvoy Pharmaceuticals has added warning labels to Luvox regarding the possible side effects, the company made significant amounts of money while patients didn’t know the risks of the drug. If you or a loved has taken Luvox and given birth to a child with birth defects, then you should contact a Chaffin Luhana LLP’s Luvox lawyer at 1-888-480-1123 immediately for a free and confidential case review today. If you and your family have suffered from Luvox birth defects, then you have the right to seek compensation.