Recent studies show a link between pregnant women taking the prescription medication Celexa and birth defects. The chances of birth defects are increased if a woman takes the drug during pregnancy, regardless of the trimester. Birth defects occur when a hereditary or environmental factor prevents a baby from developing normally. Celexa is one of these environmental factors.

The link between Celexa and heart defects in newborns is an area of serious concern with health care professionals. In addition to severe birth defects, this antidepressant is linked to the increased possibility of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN).

Information About Celexa

Celexa, also known as Citalopram, is a type of antidepressant medication. Along with Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro and Prozac, it is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) that works by altering the way the brain processes serotonin, a brain chemical associated with mood disorders such as depression. Medical researchers believe that this decreases depression in people who experience these symptoms. Celexa is also used to treat other conditions including anxiety, PMDD, obsessive compulsive disorder, ADHD, body dysmorphic disorder and hot flashes.

Celexa and Birth Defects

It is estimated that at least 10% of pregnant women suffer from depression. The symptoms may have already existed or they may have developed during the pregnancy. Women are often advised by doctors to continue taking their antidepressant medication during pregnancy. While this may be beneficial to the mother, research has shown that it is not always beneficial to the infant. This is because there is a highly increased risk of birth defects.

Cranial and Brain Defects

During the first trimester, using Celexa increases the likelihood of the infant having craniosynostosis. Craniosynostosis occurs when the joints in an infant’s skull close too early and the brain does not have enough space to properly develop. It causes the head to grow in an abnormal shape and can lead to impaired vision and impaired mental development.

Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension

Another serious birth defect, known as Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn, can occur if Celexa is taken during the third trimester of pregnancy. PPHN is a potentially fatal condition in which a newborn’s circulatory system does not adapt to conditions outside the womb. Blood is directed away from the lungs and causes serious breathing problems. The risk of this life-threatening condition is six times greater for a newborn if the mother has taken antidepressants such as Celexa.

Additional Birth Defects

Other possible birth defects resulting from the mother using Celexa during pregnancy include Autism Spectrum Disorder, clubfoot, cleft lip or cleft palate, anal atresia, and abdominal and heart defects. The likelihood of a newborn having one of these conditions if the mother took Celexa during pregnancy is between three-to-six times greater than that of a mother that did not take Celexa.

Celexa and Side Effects

In addition to birth defects, the use of Celexa has serious potential side effects. This is the result of Celexa creating increased concentrations of serotonin in some areas of the body. The most common side effects include drowsiness, changes in weight, diminished sex drive, trembling, dry mouth, frequent urination, insomnia, dizziness, yawning, diarrhea, nausea and fatigue. These side effects are usually minor and not everyone who takes Celexa experiences them. A patient who has any of these symptoms should notify their doctor or pharmacist if they become worse. Other side effects that are less likely to occur are changes in blood pressure, arrhythmia, vomiting, bruxism, anxiety and headaches.

There are also rare but serious side effects from taking Celexa. These include confusion, bloody or black stools, fainting, panic attacks, irregular heartbeat (too fast, too slow or “skipped beats”), severe anxiety or insomnia, tremors, hostility, hallucinations, severe allergic reactions such as swelling of the face, lips or tongue or a rash and convulsions. Patients experiencing any of these symptoms need to seek medical attention immediately as some of them can be fatal.

Celexa Lawsuits

There are two different types of Celexa lawsuits: an individual lawsuit or a class action lawsuit. A Celexa class action lawsuit involves a number of plaintiffs filing a suit together to the court. It is a “class action” jointly taken against the manufacturers of the drug. The victims have different types of injuries with varying severity but they sue together in one lawsuit. Each plaintiff equally shares the settlement that is awarded from the class action suit.

If there is a catastrophic injury or death involved, an individual lawsuit is usually more appropriate. Because Celexa has been linked to some severe conditions, an individual lawsuit is usually in the plaintiff’s best interest if a severe tragedy has occurred. These types of lawsuits are filed and heard individually, with damages awarded based on the amount of the injury and the strength of the case.