A pregnant woman prescribed with Paxil and Wellbutrin gave birth to an infant with numerous congenital defects, and claimed it was due to her doctor’s insistence to continue taking the drugs. Since the woman was a chain-smoker who had issues with obsessive anxiety, her doctor had explained, it would be in the best interests of her unborn child to continue the prescriptions during her pregnancy. Though there were several Food and Drug Administration warnings about the possible side effects of each drug to an unborn child, the risks of ending the medication were assessed to outweigh the costs of potential birth defects. The trial required a gynecologist to review the medical record and determine whether or not these drugs interfered with a successful and healthy pregnancy.
Question(s) For Expert Witness
1. Are you familiar with the drugs prescribed to the woman in this case and their possible side effects?
Expert Witness Response E-004036
I am familiar with these drugs and their side effects, as evidence-based medicine is one of my specialties. I believe that I would be able to determine whether or not the medications had an effect on this particular child, but I would have to review the records in more detail to do so.
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