Zoloft Side Effects

Submitted by Fred Levin on

Zoloft, like other SSRIs, is an antidepressant used to modify serotonin levels in the brain. People with low serotonin levels may experience psychological disorders including major depression, anxiety, and panic disorders. Patients who take Zoloft may also receive some unintended consequences. There are some noted Zoloft side effects that may concern some. They include drowsiness, nausea, mental confusion, insomnia, hallucinations, and thoughts of suicide. Zoloft has also come under controversy for its deadly connection to newly born infants.

A Pregnant Category C drug, potential Zoloft side effects include serious harm to the fetus. According to the FDA, two out of every 1,000 babies born to women who take Zoloft during the beginning of pregnancy will develop PPHN. However, the study found more alarming news about the anti-depressant. Zoloft use appears to really affect the fetus in the third trimester. The study found that infants born to women who took Zoloft after their twentieth week of pregnancy experienced a six-fold increased risk of PPHN. PPHN is a condition where infants cannot get enough oxygen in the blood and should not be taken lightly. It can lead to serious conditions including rapid heartbeat, heart murmur, and even death. Researchers have noted other Zoloft birth defects in newborns too. They include cardiac defects, craniosynostosis, neural tube defects, abdominal wall defects, anal atresia, cleft lip and cleft palate, and limb defects.

Zoloft side effects do not stop with the fetus, as approximately one third of infants birthed by women taking the drug actually experience intense withdrawal. Adults who go off of Zoloft experience a host of withdrawal symptoms, including headaches and irritability. Common symptoms of Zoloft withdrawal in newborns include: difficulty breathing, seizures, tremors, trouble feeding, constant crying, and irritability. Newborn babies should not face these cruel and painful conditions and ailments that Zoloft passes on to them. If you or anyone you know has been affected by Zoloft birth defects, please speak to an attorney to see if you are eligible for financial compensation.