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Zoloft was developed for use as an antidepressant and is available by prescription only. The popular medication is in a class of prescription drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. It is taken orally and the active ingredient is absorbed into the bloodstream.
Doctors prescribe Zoloft for use by patients suffering from depression, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. The drug inhibits the serotonin transporter mechanism, alleviating symptoms of depression and stress. Individuals taking Zoloft may experience one or more side effects. Some of these are mild and include headaches, nausea and insomnia. Medical evidence suggests that women taking Zoloft during pregnancy may expose the fetus to high concentrations of the drug. This may result in certain birth defects including pulmonary hypertension, cleft lip or cleft palate, heart valve abnormality and neural tube defects.
Treatment for Depression
Zoloft was introduced in 1991 and continues to be one of the most commonly prescribed medications for individuals diagnosed with one or more types of depression. Early clinical studies involving double-blind experiments found much evidence to support the reliability of the drug. This was especially true if the patient used Zoloft regularly for at least one year.
Individuals with panic disorders often respond to Zoloft. In many cases the patient is weaned off the drug after about six months. Many doctors report their patients' need to continue after this time as highly unlikely. Studies conclude that a high percentage of those using Zoloft to control panic disorder remain free of symptoms once the drug is discontinued.
Most Common Side Effects of Zoloft
Like most selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, Zoloft can produce adverse side effects. Not all patients experience these adverse effects of the drug and in most cases the symptoms are mild. A small percentage of patients report headaches, slight nausea, dry mouth, diarrhea, restlessness and inability to sleep. Some individuals report dizziness, sweating, loss of appetite and upset stomach.
More severe side effects of Zoloft include muscle cramps, tremors, sexual dysfunction and susceptibility to bruising. These effects are quite rare and generally occur during the first two or three weeks after treatment begins.
Zoloft and Birth Defects
A growing amount of evidence points to an increased risk of birth defects when Zoloft is prescribed to women who are pregnant or become pregnant while taking the drug. Potential risks to the newborn are many and include tremors, heart defects, difficulty breathing, physical abnormalities in the mouth and chin area, underdevelopment of the cranial area and pulmonary hypertension.
FDA Warnings
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration currently lists Zoloft as a Class C pharmaceutical. This means the agency realizes the potential danger of taking this drug while pregnant. The FDA has pointed out that a patient's doctor is in the best position to determine whether the benefits of Zoloft outweigh the possible danger to the fetus. Most physicians prescribe Zoloft only after careful consideration of alternate treatments. The drug contains warning labels as required by law. These warnings include mention of the Class C listing as well as an explanation of possible side effects.
Zoloft Lawsuits and Birth Defects
A number of lawsuits have been filed and at present most are still active cases in the courts regarding Zoloft and birth defects. These cases have been carefully prepared to show that the number of infants born with birth defects increases significantly when the mother was using Zoloft or similar antidepressants while pregnant.
The medical community at large has acknowledged the increased risk of pulmonary hypertension, heart valve abnormalities, body tremors and oral defects in infants born to women having used Zoloft during any trimester of pregnancy. Women who have been prescribed Zoloft during pregnancy may be entitled to legal compensation, especially if they have given birth to a child suffering from certain physical defects. An attorney specializing in pharmaceuticals or medical malpractice can offer assistance to those wanting information on the subject.
