Gilman Law LLP, a leading national wellbutrin lawyer consulting group with over 40 years of experience protecting the rights of victims, is now accepting claims for lawsuits involving side effects such as birth defects, suicidal behavior, and sudden cardiac death associated with the use of the antidepressant, Wellbutrin.

If you or someone you know has taken the SSRi Wellbutrin during pregnancy and the birth child was born with a birth defect, skeletal defect, neural tube defect, heart defect, limb birth defects, cleft lip or cleft palate, or you have developed suicidal behavior, or serotonin syndrome, you may be a victim of a SSRi side effect.

Wellbutrin Lawyer Investigation of Side Effects and Symptoms

Birth Defects: When used during pregnancy, Wellbutrin has been associated with birth defects, including PPHN (persistent pulmonary hypertension), abdominal birth defects, heart birth defects, and cranial birth defects.

Suicidal thoughts and behavior: Like other antidepressants, Wellbutrin bears a Black Box label warning of its association with suicidal tendencies in children, teens and young adults.

Sudden cardiac death: A study out of Duke University has linked Wellbutrin to an increased risk of death among patients with coronary artery disease.

FDA Warnings for Wellbutrin and Birth Defects

In 2004, the FDA released a warning against the use of certain antidepressants for women in the late third trimester of pregnancy. The warning stated that doctors may want to gradually taper pregnant women off antidepressant medications in the third trimester so that the baby is not adversely affected. In 2006, the agency issued a safety alert regarding the increased risk of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN), which is a serious and life-threatening lung condition that occurs soon after birth. Both alerts covered drugs like Wellbutrin, along with other antidepressant medications.

FDA Warnings for Wellbutrin and Suicide

In October of 2004, the FDA issued a Public Health Advisory concerning antidepressants and possible links to an increase in child suicide ideation. The FDA also ordered the manufacturers of antidepressants, including Wellbutrin, to include a Black Box warning on the drug labels, warning of the possible link between antidepressants and child suicide. In December 2006, the suicide Black Box warning for Wellbutrin and other antidepressants was expanded to include young adults, ages 18 to 25. Wellbutrin lawyer advocacy groups continue to monitor these developments.

Wellbutrin and Sudden Cardiac Death

A study published by researchers from Duke University in 2006 looking at heart disease patients using antidepressants such as Wellbutrin found that 21.4% of users died within the 3 year study period compared to only 12.5% of those not on antidepressants.   After considering all possible factors, the Duke University anti-depressant health problems study determined that antidepressant use for persons with heart disease increased the risk of death by 62%.

What is Wellbutrin?

Wellbutrin is known generically as bupropion and is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. Wellbutrin is designed to help restore the balance of the brain chemicals known as dopamine and norepinepherine. When it came on the market in 1985, Wellbutrin was nearly recalled because of a high rate of seizures, but the risk of that side effect was reduced by cutting the dosage in half. Wellbutrin is approved to treat clinical depression. Another version of bupropion called Zyban is approved as a smoking cessation aid.

Wellbutrin Lawyer Help for Victims of Side Effects

If you or someone you know suffered from birth defects, suicidal behavior or sudden cardiac death that could be linked to Wellbutrin, Gilman Law is here to help. For a free evaluation of your case, please fill out the online form on the left or call Toll Free at 1-888-252-0048.