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Ciaram22 · March 2011

Lately I have been seeing lots of commercials on TV for a lawsuit between pregnant women/new moms of children with birth defects and antidepressant companies. One of the drugs involved is Celexa (citalopram which I was on until about a week after I found out I was pregnant) and one of the birth defects sited is Cleft lip/palate. I was taking citalopram for anxiety and when I found out I was pregnant I took it for about a week and then just didn't feel comfortable taking it anymore so I stopped.

Cleft lip/palate are formed between weeks 4 and 8 and I stopped taking it around week 5. The thing is that DH has 2 cousins that were born with cleft lip/palate and it has been known to be genetic. So my question to you is since I know that there could be a family connection and it not be involved with the drug would you do more research and find a trustworthy attorney and join the lawsuit or would you just leave it alone?

DH thinks maybe we should call but I don't like the idea of calling the 800 numbers and risk them not being legit I want to research it more.

kaesha · March 2011

If there's a family history of it, I'd think that you'd have a hard time proving that it was the drugs in specific that caused the cleft palatte. That seems like pretty huge reasonable doubt, if you ask me. Is this a recently discovered side effect or was it listed with all the info when you got the drugs?

futuremrsofficer · March 2011

I agree with Kaesha. Genetics probably have much more to do with it than Celexa, and if it didn't you'd have an extremely difficult time proving it.

In general I hate class action lawsuits because there is some personal responsibility involved here. IMO when actively TTC it's your responsibility to make sure your drugs are safe, and what risks you are comfortable with. Most anti-depressants and other meds for psychological reasons are not safe during pregnancy, however with extra supplements most can be just fine. (This is not aimed at you, but stupid people who don't take their own due-diligence)

katsblaze · March 2011

I agree with the others. Where there is family history, IMO it would be very hard to prove that it was due to a drug vs. genetics.

snoopy3319 · March 2011

I agree that it is going to be hard to prove it was the drug and not the genetics. I also agree that it's up to the mother to make sure her drugs are safe when TTC. If I remember right, this was a surprise for you guys? Either way, most consultations with attorneys are free, so you could always go to see what someone thought. I wouldn't just call the 800 numbers. Those attorneys will promise you the world to make a few extra bucks.

eouellet · March 2011

Standard of proof in a civil case is not beyond a reasonable doubt, rather just preponderance of the evidence. That may still be a tough standard for you to meet but it may be worthwhile to meet with an attorney. I disagree with the statement about class actions; in general I believe they are a good way to keep drug manufacturers accountable to the patients who put a lot of faith into their products.

futuremrsofficer · March 2011

Honestly I think it's the cheesy commercials for them that annoy me more than the actual suits.

starsailorr26 · March 2011

futuremrsofficer:

I agree with Kaesha. Genetics probably have much more to do with it than Celexa, and if it didn't you'd have an extremely difficult time proving it.

IMO when actively TTC it's your responsibility to make sure your drugs are safe, and what risks you are comfortable with. Most anti-depressants and other meds for psychological reasons are not safe during pregnancy, however with extra supplements most can be just fine. (This is not aimed at you, but stupid people who don't take their own due-diligence)

This is exactly my thoughts.

rxbeth · March 2011

futuremrsofficer:

IMO when actively TTC it's your responsibility to make sure your drugs are safe, and what risks you are comfortable with. Most anti-depressants and other meds for psychological reasons are not safe during pregnancy.

As a pharmacist, I agree with this completely. There are very few medications that are considered absolutely safe during pregnancy.

Ciaram22 · March 2011

Thanks for the opinions ladies. There were no warnings on the drugs about any birth defects being side effects if taken while pregnant. When we started thinking about TTC we talked with my doctor and my pharmacist and they both agreed that I could continue taking it if I felt comfortable doing so. I felt comfortable taking it until I found out I was pregnant and then I weaned myself off of it.

Now I just feel that this is one more reason to blame myself for the condition he is being born with even though the drug may have had absolutely nothing to do with it. I know I'm lucky that this is his biggest issue and things aren't worse but I just can't help but feel that I could have done something to prevent it. I know it's not my fault but at times its hard to not blame myself.

ring_pop · March 2011

I know you feel horrible but please don't blame yourself... it's just an unfortunate situation but feeling bad won't make it any better. You did the right thing by talking to your doctor and pharmacist, and whatever the cause of your baby's small problem, the important thing is that it can be fixed.

Personally, I wouldn't put myself through the stress and expense of joining the lawsuit, but that's just me.

starsailorr26 · March 2011

I also don't think you should blame yourself. It's pointless and will only make you feel stressed at a time when you should be focusing on getting ready for your LO to arrive.

futuremrsofficer · April 2011

Blaming yourself isn't going to fix anything or make it better, it will only make you feel worse. I know your instinct as a mother is to do anything to protect and take care of your baby, but know that more than likely this was genetic. And as much as we would like to, we have no control over genetics.

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