Deskin Law Firm

Prozac is an SSRI anti-depressant linked to the increased risk of autism and autism-related disorders in children exposed to the drug while in the womb. Prozac is generally considered safe for use by non-pregnant adults hoping to curtain the adverse effects of conditions like major depression, anxiety, panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder and bulimia nervosa. However, this drug is proving harmful when taken by pregnant women and many members of the medical community are hesitant to prescribe drugs like Prozac to women who are pregnant or may become pregnant in the near future.

One condition which has been recently linked to the use of SSRI’s like Prozac during pregnancy is autism and autism-related disorders. Autism-related disorders are also known as autism-spectrum disorders (ASD’s) and including the following conditions: Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, Asperger’s Syndrome and Heller’s Syndrome. Each condition requires its own list of symptoms which must be present in order for the diagnosis to be accurate.

Children with autism manifest symptoms in a number of ways and every child’s autistic condition is unique to that child. Therefore, treatment of autism will vary with each case. Some children require minimal assistance and are able to adjust to mainstream public or private schools with ease. Other children require intense therapy and behavioral assistance in order to learn and grow. Many children with autism are unable to speak or communicate with others and must rely on technology to transfer information.

Parents of children with autism may experience severe economic hardship in attempting to pay for their child’s care. Children with very severe cases of autism may have medical expenses approaching hundreds of thousands of dollars. While some families can afford this level of expense, many families must turn to loans or gifts from family members to make ends meet.

If you took Prozac while pregnant, you may be entitled to compensation for your child’s injuries. Your child has likely endured years of tests, treatments and therapy sessions to help with his or her condition. A lawsuit against the makers of Prozac could help you and your family regain financial control of your situation. If you are interested, we are a nationwide law firm with devotion to helping families facing these difficult realities.