Like all over-the-counter pain relievers, Celebrex (generic: celecoxib) is intended to reduce bouts of swelling, inflammation, pain, and fever. However, recent studies suggest that severe side effects may coincide with the use of Celebrex. Subsequently, pregnant women who receive Celebrex treatment may significantly increase their risk of giving birth to a child with severe, life-threatening congenital abnormalities.
If you or a loved one has given birth to a child with congenital abnormalities after taking Celebrex during pregnancy, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free confidential case evaluation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.
Celebrex Birth Defects Lawsuit Overview
Celebrex, a product of G.D. Searle with flagship potential, was developed on December 31, 1998. Prior to being released into interstate commerce, Celebrex was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce the symptoms associated with several common conditions. Celebrex is intended to reduce the presence of pain or inflammation caused by arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and menstrual pain.
As a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, Celebrex utilizes a distinct mechanism of action to assist in the treatment of pain and swelling. Celebrex is able to prohibit the actions of cyclooxygenase, an enzyme responsible for the production of prostagladins and thromboxane. Subsequently, prostagladins and thromboxane act as catalysts for the process of inflammation. Therefore, by preventing the actions of cyclooxygenase, Celebrex assists in the treatment of pain and swelling.
Unfortunately, recent evidence lends weight to the long-suspected link between NSAIDs and catastrophic complications. Researchers believe that the pharmacodynamics of Celebrex may be responsible for the development of a variety of complications with varying degrees of severity. More specifically, pregnant woman who receive Celebrex treatment may significantly increase their risk of giving birth to a child with serious anatomical defects that may affect their quality of life in a profound way. Due to the risks associated with Celebrex and pregnancy, patients may contact a lawyer at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP for a free case evaluation regarding their potential Celebrex birth defects lawsuit.
Celebrex Birth Defects
According to an article published in Reuters, children born to mothers who used NSAIDs while they were pregnant exhibited a propensity for a three-fold increase in the development of anophthalmia and microphthalmia. Women also experienced a three-fold increase in the risk of their child being born with amniotic band syndrome (ABS), a defect that occurs when strands of the amniotic sac tear in the womb and entangle digits, limbs, or other parts of the developing fetus.
Compounding concerns are recent statistics acknowledged by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to their studies, anophthalmia and microphthalmia occur in approximately one out of every 5,300 live births in the United States, while ABS was found in about one in 10,000 newborn babies.
The following is a comprehensive list of Celebrex birth defects:
- Oral clefts: Oral clefts, otherwise known as cleft lip and cleft palate, are the result of several sutures that failed to close during the child’s development. They are characterized by a distinct fissure in the palate that creates clefting of the lip and roof of the mouth.
- Neural tube defects: Neural tube defects are the result of a failure of the neural tube to close during child development. Subsequently, neural tube defects are severe malformations of the central nervous system. The risk of such defects increased 60% for women who took NSAIDs like Aleve early in pregnancy.
- Anophthalmia: This condition is characterized by the absence of one or both eyes at birth. Such a complication has become associated with Celebrex birth defects.
- Microphthalmia: This condition refers to a developmental disorder of the eye. The presence of microphthalmia typically results in a significantly smaller eye with severe vision deficiencies.
- Pulmonary valve stenosis: Pulmonary valve stenosis is characterized by a significant narrowing of the aorta. As a result, the heart struggles to pump oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.
- Amniotic band syndrome: A birth defect in which the amniotic sac fissures and entangle parts of the fetus. The severity of the birth defect depends on what parts of the baby are entangled and how tightly the bands are wrapped. Babies born to mothers taking NSAIDs like Celebrex were three times more likely to develop amniotic band syndrome.
- Transverse limb deficiencies: Transverse limb deficiencies, more commonly known as clubbing of the hands and feet, have been associated with naproxen birth defects. As their names suggest, these conditions are synonymous with a distinct disfiguration of the appendages.
NSAID & Celebrex Birth Defects Study
According to a recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the use of NSAIDs may coincide with a moderate increase of the rate in which several birth defects are developed. The study was established to determine if the use of NSAIDs during early pregnancy are associated with a distinct range of structural and anatomical birth defects.
As a multi-site population-based, case control study of risk factors for birth defects, officials examined women from all over the United Sates. During the course of the interview process, women were frequently asked about the specific NSAID drugs they took during their first trimester of pregnancy.
Among the women who participated in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 22.6% reported the use of NSAIDs in their first trimester of pregnancy, most commonly ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen. Out of the 29 defect groups examined, several exhibited a small to moderate increase after ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen exposure.
Several abnormalities exhibited a larger increase in their occurrence rate than others. Distinct birth defects were slightly increased in babies whose mothers reported taking ibuprofen, aspirin or naproxen during their first trimester of pregnancy. The risk of cleft palate rose by as much as 80% in some cases, while spina bifida jumped by 60%.
Do I Have a Celebrex Birth Defects Lawsuit?
The trial lawyers at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP have decades of experience navigating through complex legislative and regulatory issues and litigating high stakes cases all over the nation. Our law firm focuses on the representation of plaintiffs in Celebrex birth defects lawsuits. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
Again, if you or a loved one has given birth to a child with congenital abnormalities after taking Celebrex during pregnancy, you should contact our lawyers immediately by clicking the link below or calling toll free 1-(949) 557-5800. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.