Current Status of Zoloft Lawsuits

Posted on by Charles

What is Zoloft?

Zoloft is an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) drug that is used to treat depression. It’s scientific name is Sertraline and it is sold under the name Zoloft by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer. In addition to depression, Zoloft is sometimes prescribed to tread obsessive compulsive disorder, panic attacks and social anxiety disorder.

What are Zoloft’s side effects?

Common side effects of taking Zoloft include diarrhea, nausea and weight gain. Some patients who take Zoloft also experience sexual dysfunction. Like all antidepressants, Zoloft can increase thoughts of suicide in children and young adults.

Are there any class action lawsuits concerning Zoloft?

Over the years, Pfizer, the manufacturer of Zoloft, has faced hundreds of lawsuits claiming that the drug can cause birth defects. One of the major legal actions was a multidistrict litigation (MDL) case that consolidated more than 40 lawsuits in 2012​​. However, a series of unfavorable rulings has led to the dismissal or withdrawal of many of these lawsuits. In fact, by November 2017, all federal MDL cases had been dismissed or withdrawn​.

In addition to federal courts, state courts have also largely sided with Pfizer. For instance, a St. Louis jury in April 2015 found Pfizer not legally liable for birth defects suffered by a boy whose mother took Zoloft while pregnant. The jurors concluded that the warnings on the drug were sufficient​.

Another class-action lawsuit claimed that consumers were misled about Zoloft’s effectiveness, but this case was also dismissed in 2014​.

Despite these legal victories for Pfizer, some lawsuits may still be ongoing. There might still be lawyers accepting Zoloft claims, although all publicized decisions have so far favored Pfizer​.

In a significant update from 2023, a federal judge dismissed the majority of 300 birth injury lawsuits filed by children and their parents against Pfizer, which alleged that Zoloft caused birth defects. The judge didn’t claim that Zoloft does not cause these injuries, but stated that the current scientific evidence was insufficient to support a viable claim. In January 2023, the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed these rulings, effectively ending this litigation unless the Supreme Court agrees to hear a Zoloft lawsuit appeal​​.

While Zoloft has been the target of substantial litigation, Pfizer has predominantly been successful in court, with both federal and state courts generally ruling in the company’s favor. However, the legal landscape can change as new information and research become available. As always, it’s essential for consumers to be aware of the potential risks and benefits associated with any medication and to discuss these concerns with their healthcare provider.

More information about Zoloft

Check out these websites to learn more about Zoloft.