The Food and Drug Administration is urging antidepressant manufacturers to heighten the warning on their labels, informing pregnant women of the increased risk to their babies of a potentially life-threatening birth defect.
Persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a rare lung disorder that prevents babies from getting enough oxygen into their bloodstreams because of high blood pressure. The disorder affects approximately one to two babies per 1,000.
Antidepressants and Pregnancy: The Research
A study published in the February issue of the New England Journal of Medicine found that women who used antidepressants during the second half of their pregnancy had six times the risk of delivery a baby with PPH.
But conflicting research has many pregnant women confused. A recent article that appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association advised women against discontinuing use of antidepressants during pregnancy because of the increased risk of a relapse.
However, the editor of JAMA issued a statement last week saying that the journal had been misled by researchers who failed to disclose their financial ties to antidepressant companies – a fact which taints the supposed objectivity of that study.
The FDA Recommendation
Susan Bro, a spokeswoman for the FDA, said that the agency recommends that women who are expecting and currently taking antidepressants consult with a doctor before discontinuing use.
Paxil, Zoloft, Paxil, and Lexapro are among the antidepressants known to increase the risk of birth defects when used during pregnancy. They belong to a class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs.
The FDA plans to issue updates on the drugs as they obtain further information.