New studies have revealed that antidepressants do have a link with pregnancy related risks as well as birth defects. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is working to help pregnant women clearly identify the risks of certain medicines they may be taking.
At the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association, a new study showed that some antidepressants are known to cause serious risks during pregnancy including premature birth, birth trauma and birth defects. Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa and Laxapro were among some of the prescription antidepressants that were listed. These drugs are known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. They affect a chemical neurotransmitter that controls serotonin levels in the brain which affects a person’s mood.
The study focused on 200 pregnant women. Of the 100 that suffered from depression, half were given SSRI’s during pregnancy. About 23 percent gave birth prematurely, as opposed to the women who did not suffer from depression, where only 6 percent gave birth prematurely.
Premature birth can lead to many complications. The babies are at a greater risk for cerebral palsy, lung disease, disability, heart related birth defects or even death. Serious withdrawal symptoms have also been noted in babies where mothers had taken SSRI’s during the last trimester. Contact a brain trauma lawyer for more information.
The FDA has repeatedly warned about Paxil and other antidepressant use during pregnancy. Now, they plan to make it easier for women to be able to identify the risks of drugs right on the bottle.
The FDA wants to substitute their current system of ABCs for the safety of drugs with words that simply explain the risks. At present, a system of A, B, C, D, or X indicate possible or likely hazards to a mother or fetus, but this, at times, does not seem to be well-understood.
The letter A indicates that, in human studies, there was not a suggested risk to mother or fetus. The letter B indicates that, while there are no human studies, animal studies suggest no risk to the pregnant mother. The letter C indicates again, no human studies, but in animal studies there was evidence of potential harm. Some antidepressants such as Zoloft and Prozac, as well as some asthma medications, fall under this category. The letter D indicates that, in clinical trials, there was data showing a risk to the fetus. Paxil and Dilantin fall under this category.
Birth trauma can cause life-long devastation. A doctor can be held responsible by a birth trauma attorney if their negligence regarding the prescription of drugs or the birthing process results in serious injury. If you feel that you have been wronged a brain injury attorney can help.
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