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About a year ago, we first reported on SAGE-547 (SAGE Therapeutics), a new medication for the treatment of severe postpartum depression. SAGE-547 is a new drug, an allosteric modulator of GABAA receptors, which was initially [...]
Over the last few years, several studies have suggested an increased risk of certain types of cardiovascular malformations in children exposed to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregnancy. The first reports suggested a link [...]
Earlier this week, JAMA Pediatrics released the findings of a study which suggested that prenatal exposure to antidepressants may increase the risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Not surprisingly, this has created a considerable amount [...]
Women face difficult choices when deciding whether or not to continue psychiatric medications during pregnancy. This choice can be especially difficult for women taking newer medications which lack adequate reproductive safety data. While we have [...]
In 2006, Chambers and colleagues published an article linking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant use during late pregnancy to an increased risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn (PPHN). PPHN is a cardiovascular [...]
You can find a more recent post on this topic here: Venlafaxine and Duloxetine: Pooled Analysis Shows No Increase in Risk of Malformations We receive a fair number of questions on the use of duloxetine [...]
This is a relatively small study but I think it underscores the importance of screening for and treating depression during pregnancy. Previous studies have indicated that about 10% to 15% of women experience clinically significant [...]
While we have adequate data to support the use of SSRI antidepressants during pregnancy, there is less data regarding other classes of antidepressants. A new case series documents the outcomes of infants exposed to mirtazapine (Remeron).
85 women with postpartum depression were randomized to receive acupuncture plus psychological intervention (five sessions per week) or treatment with fluoxetine (20 mg per day). The two groups were treated continuously for six weeks. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Hamilton Depression scale (HAMD).
We have an abundance of articles which address the impact of psychotropic medications on pregnancy. Much less research, however, has focused on how pregnancy may affect how these medications work. Physiologic changes take place during [...]
