Schedule of the Status Conferences for Zoloft MDL Released


Compensatory claims against pharmaceutical giant Pfizer have increased to 152 and medical industry observers even predict that it may increase in number. Last September 11, 2012 the presiding magistrate for the trials, Judge Cynthia M. Rufe, released Pretrial Order No. 10 setting the pace of hearings, leading newspaper say. The order contained the schedule of the status conferences, which will be held at the United States Court House in Philadelphia, PA. It will start on November 19, 2012 and end in March 25, 2013.  Inclusive topics that will be discussed on October 17, 2012, especially the first status conference for the Zoloft multidistrict litigation, will be made known to the public as promised by the Rottenstein Law Group.

Read more at: Status Conferences for Zoloft MDL Scheduled

How can Folic Acid Help in Pregnancy?


Pregnancy is a time when women need to think about their nutrition, especially because they are eating for two and obstetricians would require them to eat healthy, leading diet experts say. For this reason, obstetricians prescribe supplemental vitamins for pregnant women to keep them and their babies healthy. Thus, folic acid has been prescribed to decrease the incidences of certain birth defects.  However, one might ask how this B-vitamin help in preventing major birth defects. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) even reports that it may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

Preventing neural tube defects remains the biggest contribution of folic acid to the lives of unborn babies. Neural tube defects are problems at birth in which the baby is born with incomplete skull or spine --  two common types of which are anencephaly and spina bifida. Anencephaly, on the one hand, is the absence of the cerebral hemisphere or the cerebellum, skull with facial deformities and heart defects. Spina bifida, on the other hand, is the problem with the spine of the baby which may result to nerve damage. As there is still no cure for such diseases, child experts believe that prevention is the only key to minimizing the numbers.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has even fortified food with this vitamin to ensure women of all ages to have adequate amounts of this nutrient to prepare for pregnancy. The mandate included the fortification of grain products such as bread and cereals. After starting the fortification program of different everyday food, the number of cases of anencephaly and spina bifida lowered down. About 1,000 babies are born healthy and free of major defects at birth due to this program. Taking this supplement prevents 50 to 70 percent of brain and spinal problems among newborn babies.

With the help of careful study, it was also found out that certain medications taken during gestation may cause this physical defect. Apparently Zoloft, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), is one of those medications that may cause it. Women who have taken Zoloft while they still have the baby in their womb have found several materials about this at the www.zoloftsertralinebirthdefects.com.

URL References:

nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/neuraltubedefects.html
nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/1017.html
cdc.gov/NCBDDD/birthdefects/data.html
cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/data.html

Pfizer Faces Multiple Lawsuits Due to Claims Against Zoloft


A group of mothers banded together against Pfizer, claiming their children suffered from birth defects because they have taken Zoloft while they were still pregnant, leading newspapers report. Even though selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may help manage the anxiety and depression that one might feel while having a baby, these women would still not risk the life of their baby. These women claim that Pfizer has not adequately warned them of the possible problems that their babies might have because of their exposure to Zoloft. Proper public alert or warning of the risks associated with the medication was also left out by the company.

Read more about it at: Large Number of Zoloft Birth Defects Lawsuits Filed in West Virginia Court

How a Child with Anxiety Sees Things


One may not be able to see at first glance that a simple fidgeting boy or girl during important events may have been evident of a much bigger cause than stage fright, child experts say. It is one way to be afraid of being under the spotlight but to these excessive worrying often stems from a deeper reason which some may say as an anxiety disorder. General anxiety disorder among children has seen to be the most common mental disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The said organization has even said that a 25.1 percent of 13 to 18 year old are under its spell.

The Effects of Antidepressants on Babies

Pregnancy sometimes causes depression but taking antidepressants while pregnant proved bothersome for women.  Spreading in the news like wildfire, the risks associated in using antidepressants is a hot topic.  Complaints about those drugs have caught the attention of the Food and Drug Administration .  Purchasing antidepressants is easy because many of its formulations are available in the market.  Depressed men and women are not the only ones who use antidepressants but also those that are suffering from diabetes. Simultaneous treatment of depression and diabetes , as was seen in many researches.

Because of the increasing number of men and women taking antidepressants, the FDA has been trying to warn the public of the possible risks. Toward creating new markets and increasing acceptability among women, some pharmaceutical companies are even marketing antidepressants that are safe to take during