The downside of a downer

In the hospital, it is common for me to see anti-depressant medications. It is used to make them sleep and not to treat underlying psychological problems. It is understandable that patients tend to get elusive sleep when in the hospital and they get a little sleeping aid from downers. I learned though that aside from being addictive, there are also some real downsides to anti-depressants. Zoloft,for example which is an anti-depressant medication with the generic name of Sertraline. It was the most prescribed anti-depressant in the United States in 2007, with more than 29 million prescriptions. Studies show that this drug may cause birth defects and it lead to an infamous Zoloft lawsuit The use of it can result in serious birth defects. Women who took Zoloft during their pregnancy may have children with congenital heart defects. According to the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, fetuses exposed to Zoloft during early pregnancy are more than twice as likely to be at risk for heart defects.