FDA Birth Defects Warning

This video was produced by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) warning patients and physicians of serious, life-threatening birth defects that are linked to women who take SSRI antidepressants. The FDA summarized two new studies that practioniors should consider when prescribscribing medications like SSRIs or other antidepressants for pregnant women or those planning a pregnancy.

Women who took antidepressant drugs like Paxil or Zoloft during pregnancy may be at an increased risk of their baby developing severe birth defects. These side effects may include heart defects (PPHN), lung defects, neural tube defects, abdominal and intestinal defects and malformations.

Contact Potts Law today for legal assistance 816-931-2230 if you took any antidepressants or SSRI Drugs while pregnant (Zoloft, Sertraline, Paxil, Depakote, Topamax, or Wellbutrin), you and your child have legal rights.

Help Potts Law Make a Difference for the Muscular Dystrophy Association

Potts law is working to raise money to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The dollars raised will benefit children and adults in our community living with neuromuscular disease. By visiting our MDA fundraising page you can help us reach our goal, and together we can provide help and hope to those community members served by the Muscular Dystrophy Association.  

What Your Donations Buy:

$3,330 sponsors 45 minutes of vital research

$1,200 covers 12 months of support group meetings

$800 pays for a week of fun, friendship & laughter at MDA Summer Camp for one child

$200 provides an initial diagnostic workup at an MDA clinic

$150 pays for a physical therapy consultation at an MDA clinic

$74 funds one minute of research

$30 pays for a flu shot

Remember, no donation is too small. Thank you for making a difference!

Unsafe Prescription Drugs Causing Birth Defects

Sometimes pharmaceutical drugs can do more harm than good, especially when you are pregnant. There are potentially harmful effects of certain drugs prescribed for a variety of issues, such as depression, seizures, or migraine headaches. Are you taking the proper steps to make sure your baby is safe?

The following drugs have been proven to cause multiple, potentially life threatening birth defects when taken by women during their first trimester of pregnancy: Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac, Celexa, Wellbutrin, Tompomax, and Depakote.

  

Possible birth defects caused by these drugs include, but are not limited to:
                                                                                    

• Heart Defects
• Oral Cleft Lip
• Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN) endeavors
• Brain Defects
• Club Foot

These points could be helpful to consider if you are pregnant:

1.    Talk to your doctor about the safest anticonvulsant medications to avoid birth defects in newborns, like cleft palate and cleft lip.

2.    If you are on two or multiple drugs in the same class, ask your neurologist if you can be on only one anticonvulsant drug during your pregnancy.

3.    Develop healthy prenatal habits such as eat a healthy balanced diet, take folic acid; get plenty of rest and do not smoke or drink.

4.    Tell your doctor or nurse practitioner about all of your medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs. Ask them to review the FDA Pregnancy Drug Category to ensure you’re not taking anything that could harm your baby.

5.    Don’t stop taking any anti-seizure medication without talking to your doctor. Stopping medication may induce more seizures.

6.    Educate yourself about the above listed drugs. Research what the FDA has to say about them and what warnings have been issued. www.fda.gov

For more information on this topic, as well as information regarding specific drugs please visit: http://www.potts-law.com/2010/areas-of-practice/pharmaceutical-litigation    

Register now for the Amy Thompson Run for Brain Injury

               We encourage you to register for this year’s Amy Thompson Brain Injury Run. Started in 1988, the Amy Thompson run is “one of the oldest premier family runs through some of Kansas City’s most beautiful neighborhoods.” Located at Loose Park in Kansas City, MO, the run was started by friends of Amy Thompson, a victim of a serious brain injury. Their goal is to honor her memory while also raising money and awareness for others forced to cope with life altering situations involving brain injury.  

                In the 24 years since the run has began, an astounding $1.5 million has been raised and Potts Law is helping sponsor this important event to aid in raising even more money for victims of brain injury.  We also have a team that will be joining the runners for the 8k race. Potts law represents victims of brain injury and their families and we are passionate about opportunities to give back to the brain injury community.

                The Amy Thompson Run will take place May 30, 2011, Memorial Day, and all proceeds will benefit the Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater Kansas City. To register visit the 2011 Amy Thompson Run. 

Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater Kansas City