The antidepressant medicine Zoloft, which is formulated by Pfizer, has once again been condemned for allegedly causing a harmful side effect that led to an infant's death.

This is not a first lawsuit for Pfizer regarding Zoloft side effects. Reports about the various harmful side effects of the drug include:

•Suicidal thoughts and behavior

•Sleeping problems

•Eating disorders

•Nausea

•Diarrhea

•Constipation

•Unusual fatigue

•Decreased libido

•Ejaculation problems

•Migraine

•Physical pain

•Unusual mood shifts

•Personality changes

•Hallucination

•Memory loss

•Decreased concentration and coordination

Some of these side effects are generally minor that medical attention is rarely needed.  However, Zoloft has also severe side effects that need to be addressed immediately.

A couple from Missouri has filed a lawsuit against Pfizer, in October 11, due to their child's death from suspected Zoloft-attributed birth defect, "Tetralogy of Fallot," two years ago.  That disease was an atrial septal heart defect that was probably caused by Zoloft use while pregnant.

 A major severe Zoloft side effect was recognized in cases in which several pregnant women were given this drug during the first trimester of pregnancy; the newborn babies ended up with congenital birth injuries and their moms had withdrawal symptoms that remained for days, weeks or even years after birth. Heart problems in an infant typically occurs when the mother has taken Zoloft within the first trimester of pregnancy, during which the baby's heart is still forming in the womb. The following are other reported Zoloft birth defects:

•Miscarriage

•Persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN)

•Enlarged heart

•Delayed development

•Cleft lip or palate

•Clubbed foot

•Craniosyntosis (skull deformation)

•Kidney and lung problems

•Gastorchisis

A research study by Lisa Croen, director of autism research at Kaiser Permanente Northern California, was featured on the Cable News Network (CNN) in July 2011.   She discovered that babies who were exposed to antidepressants during the first trimester of their mothers' pregnancy were almost four times as prone to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) than those babies who were not.  The summary of her study results: antidepressant intake during pregnancy may lead to child autism.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released public health advisories that provided further cautions to physicians and patients that Zoloft tends to increase the occurrence of suicidal tendencies and risks of birth defects. The patients affected by the drug should seek legal advice as regard probable Zoloft lawsuit against Pfizer.