Depression in pregnant women has been known to increase the likelihood of fetal malformations. As such, antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed to pregnant women suffering from depression. The effects of SSRI’s on fetal development has been studied extensively to see if the use of SSRI’s puts the fetus at risk of malformations, and paroxetine (Paxil) specifically is an SSRI that has been heavily studied.
One study was conducted by GM Thormahlen (2006), titled “Paroxetine use during pregnancy: is it safe?” Is published in MEDLINE. The stated objective of the study was “To evaluate the literature assessing the neonatal risks of antepartum paroxetine use.” Data was collected from MEDLINE and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts.
Combining the data revealed that SSRIs are associated with neonatal withdrawal symptoms such as respiratory distress, irritability, lethargy, and tremors. One study that was analyzed revealed that poor neonatal adaptation was observed in 30% of infants exposed to SSRIs, compared to 9% in controls.
Paroxetine has been more commonly associated with neonatal malformations than other SSRIs, one study showed that “paroxetine was associated with a 1.82-fold (95% CI 1.17 to 2.82) increased risk of congenital malformations compared with other antidepressants…Some reports indicate that paroxetine is more commonly associated with neonatal withdrawal than other SSRIs.”
Finally, the author concluded that “Paroxetine may cause adverse outcomes in the neonate when used during pregnancy and should be discontinued in women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.”
Due to the fact that many women have used Paxil during pregnancy unaware of the risk for birth defects associated with the drug, a number of Paxil birth defects lawsuits have been filed around the world. If you or a loved one used Paxil during pregnancy and your child was born with a birth defect, please do not hesitate to contact our team of Paxil® birth defects lawyers at the information provided below.
We have the experience, resources, and skills required to win the justice you deserve, even from the largest of pharmaceutical manufacturers. Call today and see how we can help!
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Our SSRI Birth Defects Lawsuit Information page is a great place to start if you have any questions about SSRIs and Birth Defects.