Taking SSRIs while pregnant doubles or in some cases quadruples the risk of birth defects. A recent study looked at over 200,000 pregnant women from Denmark. The study found that the risk of serious heart malformations was more than doubled when a pregnant woman took an SSRI in her first trimester of pregnancy. The risk was even greater with certain types of SSRIs. The popular SSRI- Zoloft (generic Sertraline), was found to triple the risk of heart malformations, while Lexapro (generic Escitalopram) doubled the risk of any malformation and quadrupled the risk of septal defects — a type of heart defect. To read the entire study click on the following link www.dovepress.com/use-of-selective-serotonin-reuptake-inhibitors-during-early-pregnancy-peer-reviewed-article-CLEP-recommendation1
With regard to Zoloft, this is the third study showing heart defects are significantly increased with use of the drug in pregnancy. Zoloft is still a Pregnancy Category C drug, unlike Paxil, which has already been changed to the more serious Category D. These Pregnancy Categories help doctors decide whether or not to prescribe certain drugs during pregnancy. The D category tells doctors that studies have been done in humans that have found evidence of birth defects. The lesser C category says that no evidence has been found in human studies, but there has been some evidence from animal studies.
Birth Injuries/Defects and Antidepressants (SSRI/SNRI)
At McGlynn Glisson & Mouton we are actively representing people who have been injured by taking antidepressant medications, including:
- Zoloft (sertraline)
- Paxil (paroxetine)
- Wellbutrin (bupropion)
- Lexapro (escitalopram)
- Prozac (fluoxetine)
- Celexa (citalopram)
To arrange a free consultation about your case, please contact McGlynn Glisson & Mouton by e-mail or call us toll free 1-800-725-3555. We represent clients throughout the nation.
