In August 2006, an article titled “Exposure to mirtazapine during pregnancy: a prospective, comparative study of birth outcomes.” was published by J. Djulus et al. in Journal of Clinical Psychiatry concerning the safety of the antidepressant Remeron (mirtazapine) for a developing fetus. To-date, a number of other studies have examined the risks of antidepressants during pregnancy.
The researchers state that “The study design was prospective, with 2 comparison groups: disease-matched pregnant women diagnosed with depression taking other antidepressants and pregnant women exposed to nonteratogens.”
Continuing, the team writes “We were able to follow 104 pregnancy outcomes in each drug group. There were 77 live births, 1 stillbirth, 20 spontaneous abortions, 6 therapeutic abortions, and 2 major malformations in the mirtazapine group. … The differences among the 3 groups were in the rate of spontaneous abortions, which was higher in both antidepressant groups (19% in the mirtazapine group and 17% in the other antidepressant group) than in the nonteratogen group (11%), but none of the differences were statistically significant. The rate of preterm births (prior to 37 weeks’ gestation) was also higher in the mirtazapine group (10%) and in the other antidepressant group (7%) than in the nonteratogen group (2%). The difference was statistically significant between the mirtazapine group and the nonteratogen group (p = .04).”
While Remeron was not found to dramatically raise the risk for birth defects, the team writes that “the higher number of spontaneous abortions in the antidepressant groups confirms the higher rates of spontaneous abortions in pregnant women taking antidepressant medications found in previous studies.”
Since so many women have used antidepressants in pregnancy unaware of the risk for low birth weight and spontaneous abortion, a number of SSRI birth defect lawsuits are currently being filed. If you or a loved one used SSRIs and gave birth to a child with a congenital malformation or who had perinatal complications, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation. For a free, no-obligation case consultation, contact our team of SSRI birth defect lawyers at the information provided below. We have the experience, resources, and skills required to win the justice you deserve. Call today and see how we can help.
(855) 452 – 5529
Our SSRI Birth Defects Lawsuit Information page is a great place to start if you have any questions about SSRIs and Birth Defects.