Wellbutrin Side Effects

Wellbutrin Linked to Increased Risk of Birth Defects

Expectant mothers who have taken or are taking antidepressants may unknowingly be harming their developing babies. Researchers have begun to identify a possible link between the antidepressant drug Wellbutrin, and an increased risk of cardiac birth defects.

Wellbutrin (bupropion) is used to treat depression and bupropion is used as a smoking cessation aid under the name Zyban. Wellbutrin, which is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, was FDA approved in December 1985. In May 2010 reports surfaced in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology indicating that approximately two out of every 1,000 women who took bupropion during the first trimester of their pregnancy faced an increased risk of cardiac birth defects.

The study included reports pertaining to the observation of more than 12,700 babies born in the U.S. between 1997 and 2004. The research team observed data from 5,869 infants who had no birth defects, and 6,853 infants born with a major heart defect. Such data indicated that of those babies born with a heart defect, 0.5 percent of the mothers reported using bupropion during the month prior to pregnancy or in their first trimester. Researchers also found that babies born to mothers who took bupropion in early pregnancy experienced more than double the risk for specific heart defects as compared to babies whose mothers did not take the drug.

The risk that researchers have identified as associated with bupropion is a left outflow tract defect which causes interference of the blood flow from the left chamber of the heart to the remaining areas of the body. Often, the defect causes a narrowing of the body’s main artery. Such a defect often requires surgical repair.

PLEASE SPEAK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE DISCONTINUING THE USE OF WELLBUTRIN OR ANY OTHER PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

Contact the Law Offices of d'Oliveria & Associates, P.C.

If you believe that you or a loved one has been taking the antidepressant Wellbutrin and has suffered as a result, you may want to speak with a personal injury attorney today, regarding your potential lawsuit. An injury lawyer familiar with new developments in the investigation of Wellbutrin may be able to help you make important personal and legal decisions.

Please contact the law offices of d'Oliveira & Associates at 1-800-992-6878 or fill out a contact form for a free legal consultation.