Wellbutrin, generically known as Bupropion, is often used to help people with seasonal affect disorder, and is also used to help people quit smoking. As an antidepressant, it differs from some of the most popular medicines, such as Prozac, Zoloft and Celexa in how it targets the brain chemicals thought to affect depression.

Popular antidepressants Prozac, Zoloft and Celexa are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, or SSRIs. They work by targeting the chemical in the brain called serotonin. Scientists believe that an imbalance of chemicals like serotonin affects moods, and by restoring this balance, those with depression will feel better. Wellbutrin, however, targets a different set of chemicals, norepinephrine and dopamine, and changes how the brain absorbs them. Doctors sometimes prescribe Wellbutrin to be used in addition to SSRIs.

Wellbutrin Pregnancy Birth Defects

One study estimates that 1 in 10 pregnant women are also depressed. This could be the result of previous long-term depression, or it could be a recent development, perhaps due to pregnancy hormonal changes. Treating depression in pregnant women is important because the health of the baby could be at risk.

Women in deep depression may be less likely to take care of themselves, or their baby. They may be less likely to maintain a nutritious diet, rest or exercise regime, or attend regular pre-natal checkups. They may also be more likely to engage in unsafe actions, such as smoking or drinking, or even life-threatening behavior.

Doctors also know that babies born to mothers with untreated depression suffer stress themselves. These babies are more likely to be born prematurely, or to have a low birth weight.

Antidepressants are often the quickest way to initiate positive emotions in a person who is depressed, however, studies are linking the use of antidepressants, including Wellbutrin, with a number of birth defects.

A study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology concluded that women who used antidepresssants early in the pregnancy more than doubled their baby’s risk of being born with a heart defects in the left outflow tracts. Wellbutrin and SSRIs have also been is tied to a number of other heart, breathing and developmental congenital defects.

Wellbutrin Lawsuits 2012

Numerous babies have hurt by Wellbutrin and other SSRIs, and their families have been hurt as well. Many of these families believe the manufacturers of these dangerous drugs should be held accountable for the damage that they are causing. We are currently representing families who may be eligible for compensation for the injuries these drugs have caused. If your baby was born with a birth defect after being exposed to Wellbutrin or an SSRI before birth, we encourage you to contact us to discuss your legal options. We have a Wellbutrin lawyer ready to help.

Scientists believe that SAD, like other forms of depression, is triggered by an imbalance in the brain’s chemistry. Some scientists believe that sunlight helps trigger the production of the chemical serotonin, which is known to enhance mood. During the fall and winter months, as sunlight decreases, the brain may not produce as much serotonin as in the warmer months.

Treatments for SAD

Doctors may recommend more exposure to light to treat SAD. This may occur naturally, by taking walks or spending more time outdoors, or by using a light box to simulate natural sunlight.

Doctors may also recommend the antidepressant Wellbutrin, which was the first drug approved to combat SAD. It works by changing the way the brain absorbs serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.

Concerns about Wellbutrin Pregnancy Birth Defects

Although Wellbutrin has been proven effective as antidepressant, studies have raised concerns about its safety. Specifically, these studies have shown that, when taken by pregnant women, Wellbutrin can increase the risk of birth defects.

One study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that women who took Wellbutrin were more twice as likely to have babies born with a congenital heart defect than those who were not exposed to the drug. This study, which looked at the details for nearly 128,000 infants born between 1997 and 2004, noted that these infants had two times the risk of a heart defect called left outflow defect.

Wellbutrin and other antidepressants have long been linked to a variety of birth defects including head and abdominal abnormalities, neural tube defects, cleft lip and palate and clubfoot.

Since more women experience depression than men, and more women experience SAD than men, countless pregnant women taking this medication may be unknowingly endangering their unborn babies through the risk of developing Wellbutrin birth defects.

Wellbutrin Lawsuits 2012
We represent families whose babies were born with Wellbutrin birth defects after being exposed to the antidepressant immediately before or during pregnancy. These parents believe the manufacturer of this drug should be held accountable for the injuries this medication has caused. If your child was born with a birth defect after being exposed to Wellbutrin or other antidepressants, you undoubtedly have questions about your legal options. We can help. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation and confidential consultation to discuss your rights and your next steps. There is a limited time to file Wellbutrin lawsuits. Please contact us at your earliest convenience. We are currently representing families throughout the United States in bringing individual claims on behalf of their child.

Many scientists who study depression believe that the illness is caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. This imbalance makes it more difficult for the brain cells that transmit messages (neurotransmitters) to communicate, resulting in symptoms of depression. These symptoms may include feeling sad or overwhelmed, tired or irritable, helpless or hopeless, and a lack of interest or enjoyment in previously pleasurable activities.

Antidepressants like Wellbutrin, Prozac and Effexor work differently, but they all function on the same principle: target a particular brain chemical thought to impact mood. ellbutrin, for example, targets dopamine and norepinephrine and alters the way the brain absorbs these chemicals. By decreasing the amount that gets absorbed into the brain, more is available for other cells, which helps elevate mood.

Popular antidepressants Prozac, Zoloft and Celexa are called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, or SSRIs. These drugs all work by altering the way the brain reabsorbs serotonin. Effexor is a Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor, or SNRI, and targets the re-absorption of both serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. Effexor is sometimes used when patients do not respond to SSRIs. Although these antidepressants have a different focus, researchers say that all of these drugs may cause significant birth defects.

Wellbutrin Birth Defects Pregnancy

One common birth defect linked with these drugs is congenital heart defects. Babies whose mothers used Wellbutrin during the first months of pregnancy were two times as likely to be born with a hole in the septal wall of the heart. Studies show the other antidepressants also contribute to a wide variety of heart defects including a variety of artery and valve abnormalities.

SSRIs and SNRIs are also a contributing cause to a life threatening breathing disorder among newborns. When women use these drugs during the third trimester, their babies are six times more likely to be born with Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn. This sometimes fatal condition occurs when, due to a malfunction, the baby’s body does not automatically convert to breathing air through the lungs at birth.

Other structural birth defects associated with these antidepressants include pulmonary stenosis, spina bifida, anal atresia and clubfoot.

Wellbutrin Lawsuit Help
If you have used Wellbutrin or other SSRI or SNRI during pregnancy and your child was born with a birth defect, you may be eligible for compensation. We represent families who believe the manufacturers of these antidepressants should be held accountable for the injuries these drugs have caused. If you would like to find out more, contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your individual situation. We are currently representing families throughout the United States in individual Wellbutrin lawsuit cases and there is no national Wellbutrin class action lawsuit.

It is not uncommon for doctors to prescribe antidepressants to pregnant women. In many cases, the health of both the mother and the baby improves when the woman treats depression. Studies have shown that pregnant women who do not treat depression put their babies at higher risk for complications such as low birth weight and premature birth. Women who are depressed while pregnant may also be at risk for unhealthy behaviors such as drinking alcohol and using drugs.

For the 10% of pregnant women who are also depressed, doctors may recommend changes in diet, environment or lifestyle to help the patients cope. Additionally, they may prescribe medicines that may work quickly to help improve mood. Antidepressants like Wellbutrin, Prozac and Zoloft are some of the most widely used medications that work with the brain chemicals to help elevate mood. But numerous studies have shown that although these medicines can help when a person is depressed, these medicines can also cause significant harm when used by someone who is pregnant.

Wellbutrin Birth Defects
Wellbutrin, for example, is linked to a heart condition called left outflow defect. In a recent study, researchers found that babies whose mothers had used Wellbutrin during pregnancy were twice as likely to be born with this congenital heart problem. Wellbutrin and other antidepressants are linked to numerous other heart abnormalities, including transposition of the great arteries, double aortic arch, septal defects, and other valve and circulatory problems.

In addition, scientists say that Wellbutrin and other antidepressants are connected to other birth defects including anal atresia, omphaloceles, clubfoot and certain pulmonary conditions such as pulmonary atresia and Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN).

Birth defects caused by Wellbutrin are often detected at pre-natal checkups, at birth, or at early well baby checkups. Surprisingly, however, some birth defects initially present so few symptoms, they may not be noticeable until the child ages. The mildest degree of spina bifida, for example, may not exhibit symptoms until an older child or adult complains about back pain or foot drop. Cleft palate may not be noticeable until a child has repeated sinus infections. A heart abnormality may not be detectable until a murmur is detected.

If you used Wellbutrin or another antidepressant and your baby—or later, your child—is diagnosed with a birth defect, your medicine could be the cause. We encourage you to contact us with questions about your legal options. We are currently representing families who believe the pharmaceutical manufacturers should be held accountable for the damage their medicines have caused. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation and confidential consultation and for the latest Wellbutrin lawsuit news. We are currently representing families throughout the United States in individual cases and there is no national Wellbutrin lawsuits class action.

About Depression

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 14.8 million adults are depressed, and even more may suffer from depression, but not be diagnosed. In the past, some people thought that feeling depressed was a sign of weakness, but now it is recognized as an illness that often has chemical roots.

When a person has a major depression, he or she may feel sad, hopeless, helpless, and unable to continue with daily functions, or enjoy activities that once brought happiness.

Treatment for Depression

When a patient is diagnosed with depression, the doctor may recommend changes in environment or nutrition or exercise habits. The doctor may also prescribe Wellbutrin or another antidepressant. These medicines work with the brain chemicals to restore the imbalance of chemicals that scientists believe affect depression.

But for some people, particularly pregnant women, the antidepressants themselves can cause additional concerns.

Depression and Pregnancy

Nearly 10% of pregnant women suffer from depression. They may be depressed before becoming pregnant. With the increase in pregnancy hormones, some women first experience depression while pregnant. For years, doctors have prescribed antidepressants like Wellbutrin, Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa and others to help pregnant women maintain their equilibrium.

Studies have shown that when pregnant women are depressed and do not get treatment, it affects the health of their babies. Babies born to depressed women are more likely to be born prematurely and to be born at a lower birth weight. Pregnant women with untreated depression may also be less likely to ensure the baby’s health with proper nutrition. What’s more, they may use other coping skills such as smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol and using drugs to mask those feelings of depression.

While this information proves it is important to treat depression among pregnant women, studies have also shown the danger that Wellbutrin and other antidepressants can pose to the unborn baby.

One study, published by the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, linked the use of Wellbutrin to a birth condition called left outflow tract heart defect. Researchers found that babies born in the U.S. between 1997-2004 to mothers who used Wellbutrin (generic name Bupropion) were two times as likely to have a baby born with this defect, which affects the left side of the heart.

If your child was born with a birth defect after being exposed to Wellbutrin before or during pregnancy, we encourage you to contact us. We are investigating individual Wellbutrin lawsuits on behalf of families who believe the manufacturer should be held responsible for the damage done by their products. Although nothing can immediately restore health, you can fight for the compensation your family deserves. Call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and your options. There is currently no Wellbutrin lawsuits class action in the United States that covers all families affected by birth defects caused by this drug.

In a study published by the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, it was determined that women given Wellbutrin during pregnancy were twice as likely to have a child with a congenital birth defect called left outflow tract defect. This defect restricts blood flow to organs in the child’s body, and must be corrected by surgery. It is estimated that 2 out of every 1,000 women who took this drug during pregnancy will have a child with this defect.

In addition to left outflow tract defect, women who have used Wellbutrin during pregnancy have reported the following side effects:

• Atrial Septal Defects
• Ventricular Septal Defects
• Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension
• Coartication of the Aorta
• Lung Defects
• Hypoplastic Left Heart
• Pulmonary Stenosis

In 1997, GlaxoSmithKline created a registry to track the outcomes of women who were pregnant and took Wellbutrin. In March of 2008, the company determined that 3.6% of the children born to mothers who took Wellbutrin during their first trimester had serious birth defects. Wellbutrin birth defects involving the heart occurred at a rate of 1.3%.

The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention have funded an on-going study called the National Birth Defects Study, which evaluated a link between Wellbutrin and Zyban and birth defects. This study measures more than 30 categories of major birth defects. This study evaluated a connection between 1997-2004, and looked at 12,383 infants. 6,853 of these children were diagnosed one out of four categories of heart birth defects. 5,763 children were diagnosed with at least one out of six categories of noncardiac defects.

If you or a loved one took Wellbutrin during pregnancy, and a child has suffered a severe birth defect as a result, it is important to seek legal guidance as there is a limited time to file a Wellbutrin lawsuit. We strongly believe that the GlaxoSmithKline should be held legally responsible for the harm their drug has caused. A Wellbutrin related birth defect can cause permanent harm to the child and a reduced quality of life. As a parent, you likely are now contending with unpaid medical bills, and emotional suffering.

Contact our office and speak with an experienced Wellbutrin lawyer to learn more about your legal options. If you decide to pursue legal action, we will take your case on contingency. This means that you do not pay a dime until we win your case. Contact us for a free consultation and a Wellbutrin XL birth defects lawyers can answer any of your questions. There currently is no national Wellbutrin lawsuits class action claim and we are representing families on an individual basis.

With women of childbearing age already more susceptible to depression, with the addition of stress and pregnancy hormones that can initiate or increase mood changes, it is understandable that depression can hit a pregnant woman hard.

About Wellbutrin

Along with dietary and lifestyle treatments, doctors often prescribe a medicine such as Wellbutrin. Wellbutrin, known generically as Bupropion, is an antidepressant that works with the brain chemistry. Many scientists believe that depression is caused by an imbalance of certain brain chemicals, making it more difficult for the brain cells to communicate with each other, which ultimately affects mood.

Wellbutrin helps to restore the balance of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. Other antidepressants, such as Prozac and Zoloft, work similarly, by targeting specific brain chemicals to restore balance.

But Wellbutrin, as well as many other antidepressants, has been linked to a variety of serious birth defects.

Wellbutrin Birth Defects

In a 2010 study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, scientists looked at birth and health information of over 127,000 babies born between 1997 and 2004, whose mothers used Wellbutrin during the pregnancy. The scientists found that babies exposed to Wellbutrin through the umbilical cord were twice as likely to be born with a birth defect called a left outflow defect, which is an abnormality of the heart.

Additionally, Wellbutrin and other antidepressants have been repeatedly linked to a number of other heart-related problems, including transposition of the great arteries, Hypoplastic heart syndrome, double aortic arch and heart murmur.

These antidepressants have also been connected to other structural birth defects, including clubfoot, spina bifida, craniosynostosis and several pulmonary disorders.

Wellbutrin Lawsuit 2011 Help
If you have taken this antidepressant before or during pregnancy, and your child was born with Wellbutrin birth defects, your medication may be the cause. Many families who have also been affected by Wellbutrin and other dangerous drugs believe the manufacturers of these medications should be held accountable for the injuries these drugs cause. There is a limited time to file Wellbutrin lawsuits and we encourage you to contact us today with questions and to find out your legal options. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your specific situation.

Antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin, Prozac, Zoloft and Celexa have been studied to see what impact, if any, they have on babies in utero. Numerous studies showed that these and other antidepressants could increase the risk of a variety of congenital defects.

What are birth defects?

While a baby is in the womb, the baby’s body develops on a specific timeline. If that development does not occur on time, or does not occur completely, it results in an abnormality that is present at or soon after birth. With craniosynostosis, for example, the joints that fuse the bones of the skull fuse together prematurely, not allowing the brain enough room to grow. Conversely, with spina bifida, the spine does not close completely, allowing parts of the spinal column to protrude. Birth defects may vary in severity. Some may be so mild they may go unnoticed for years, but others can be debilitating or even fatal.

Wellbutrin Birth Defects

In a 2010 article published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, scientists outlined a study that surveyed over 100,000 babies born in the U.S. between 1997 and 2004, finding that babies whose mothers used Wellbutrin were twice as likely to have a heart condition called left outflow defect.

Other birth defects associated with antidepressants include ventricle and atrial septal defects, other heart problems, spina bifida, craniosynostosis, omphaloceles, clubfoot, cleft lip and palate, and a life-threatening breathing condition called Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN).

Wellbutrin Lawsuits

For the expectant mothers who used Wellbutrin and other antidepressants under doctor’s orders, the knowledge that these medications are linked to birth defects is devastating. We are representing families who believe the manufacturer of these drugs should be held accountable for the injuries they have caused.

If you have been affected by an antidepressant birth defect, you most likely have questions about your child’s future and your legal options. We can help. We encourage you to contact us today for a free, no obligation consultation to help you determine the best way to protect your family. There is a limited time to file a Wellbutrin birth defects lawsuit so please contact us as soon as possible.

Studies have linked the use of Wellbutrin, as well as other SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) to a wide range of serious birth defects. Since 2005, information is mounting that SSRI drugs like Wellbutrin can cause defects of the heart and lung, neural tube defects, craniosynostosis, omphalocele, clubfoot, and anal atresia.

According to a recent report published in American Obstetrics & Gynecology, women who have taken Wellbutrin during their first trimester have an increased risk of having a child with a heart defect (two out of every 1,000 infants).

GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturers of the drug, created a Bupropion Pregnancy Registry from September 1997 to March 2008. The purpose of this registry was to identify any birth defects that were caused by Wellbutrin (including Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, and Zyban). According to GlaxoSmithKilne, the results of this study were not published. While the study was closed to new registrants on November 1st, 2007, 28 birth defects were reported after the closing. Out of these 28, 12 were cardiac defects. As for all congenital defects, there was an average of 23.1 defects for every 1,000 infants.

Some of the serious Wellbutrin birth defects that have been linked to this drug and other SSRI drugs include:

Heart Defects: Many studies have illustrated a link between Wellbutrin and other SSRI drugs, and congenital heart defects, particularly when the drugs are taken within the first trimester of pregnancy.

Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN): This is a serious birth defect. The FDA issued a Public Health Advisory in 2006 warning that Wellbutrin and other SSRI drugs were linked with a PPHN risk in newborns. A mother who took an SSRI during pregnancy is six times more likely to have a child with PPHN. This disorder involves blood being diverted from the child’s lungs, which results in serious oxygen deprivation (hypoxia).

Cranial Birth Defects: This birth defect causes the sutures of the skull to close to early. The sutures normally stay pliable when the child is small to allow room for the brain to grow. This defect causes an abnormally shaped skull.

Omphalocele: This defect causes the child’s internal organs to protrude through the navel. This serious defect will necessitate surgical intervention.

There are a number of potential defects that can arise from taking Wellbutrin during pregnancy. There are also reports of septal defects, heart murmurs, clubfoot, spina bifida, anal atresia and much more.

Wellbutrin Pregnancy Lawsuit
If you have taken Wellbutrin during pregnancy and have a child with a birth defect, it is important to contact us to discuss your individual situation. You likely have many questions that need to be answered. We believe that the manufacturer of Wellbutrin should be held legally accountable for the harm this drug has caused. Contact us to discuss your legal options and the latest Wellbutrin birth defects lawsuit news. We are currently representing families throughout the United States.

Recently, the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology suggested that their may a connection between mothers who have taken certain antidepressants during pregnancy and birth defects in their newborns. As the human heart develops, it starts out in the fetus as a tube. This tube like structure then twists and folds as it grows to accommodate the chest cavity of the child. It is suspected that Wellbutrin taken in the very early stages of pregnancy can interfere with the formation of the heart, particularly the formation of the aorta.

Two birth defects seen with Wellbutrin use are:

Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: This heart defect causes the left side of the heart to be severely underdeveloped. This defect does not allow the heart to beat normally and pump blood throughout the body. Corrective surgery may include a heart transplant, medications and corrective surgery.

Coartication of the Aorta: This condition causes the main artery to be seriously narrowed, which results in the heart being unable to beat properly. Heart surgery, a heart transplant and medications may be necessary.

In 1997, the manufactuer of Welburtin created a Buproprion Pregnancy Registry to follow the outcomes of pregnancies where the expectant mother took either Zyban or Wellbutrin. The registry was relatively small, with 675 participants. The physicians caring for these women often did the reporting. Also because cardiac abnormalities are often not discovered until after the child is born, birth defects discovered after birth may have gone unreported. However despite this, Wellbutrin defects were found in 1.3% of the pregnancies followed.

The National Birth Defects Prevention Study is conducting an ongoing case-control study on this issue. The purpose of the study, which is funded by the CDC, is to look at environmental and genetic risk factors in over 30 categories of serious birth defects. This study has examined the link between Wellbutrin and Zyban use and and cardiac birth defects. Between 1997 to 2004, 12,383 infants were studied. A total of 6,853 of these children were diagnosed with at least 1 out of four categories of birth defects. Also, 5,763 children had at least one out of 6 categories of noncardiac birth defects. This study found a link between Wellbutrin or Zyban use from one month prior to conception to the first trimester of pregnancy.

If you have taken this medication during your pregnancy and your child was born with a birth defect, you likely have a lot of questions. You are probably angry, and want answers. We believe that the manufacturers of Wellbutrin should be held accountable for the harm this drug has caused not only your child, but children and families around the country.

Wellbutrin Lawsuit 2011
Contact us and speak with one of our Wellbutrin attorneys. We will provide you with a free, no-obligation consultation. We are available to speak with you by calling our toll-free number, or contact us online. Should you decide to pursue an action, it will not cost you anything we win your case. Call us today to learn more. We are currently representing families throughout the United States in Wellbutrin birth defects lawsuit claims.