Antidepressant Meds Increase Risk of Neonatal Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension

Jack Landskroner

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The FDA has published a July 2006 alert to warn pregnant woman of the risk of taking antidepressant during pregnancy.

A recently published case-control study has shown that infants born to mothers who took selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) after the 20th week of pregnancy were 6 times more likely to have persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) than infants born to mothers who did not take antidepressants during pregnancy (see SSRI drug names at the bottom of this sheet).

SSRIs and a Combination Drug Containing an SSRI called into question include

Celexa (citalopram)
Fluvoxamine
Lexapro (escitalopram)
Paxil (paroxetine)
Prozac (fluoxetine)
Symbyax (olanzapine/fluoxetine)
Zoloft (sertraline)

Similarly, as referenced by Attorney Joe Saunders in his recent blog post

A drug touted as an effective treatment of epilepsy has been shown to cause birth defects or fetal death in cases where mothers were taking the drug during pregnancy.

Taking any medication during pregnancy can be dangerous to the fetus, however the health of the mom must also be taken into consideration. Always consult your doctor about starting or continuing any medication regimen when pregnant. Familiarize yourself with the drug warnings and discuss the risks and benefits with you physician so that an informed decision can be made.