SSRI - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Antidepressants and Pregnancy: A Meta-Analysis Puts the Risks into a Larger Context

While some studies have shown an association between in utero exposure to antidepressants and various pregnancy outcomes, including preterm delivery, low birth weight, and lower Apgar scores, these outcomes have also been linked to untreated maternal depression. Thus, it has been difficult to determine if there is a causal relationship between antidepressant exposure and negative pregnancy outcomes or whether maternal depression is itself responsible for these negative outcomes.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-06T13:22:16-04:00March 1st, 2013|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|0 Comments

No Increase in Risk of Infant Mortality in Women Taking SSRIs During Pregnancy

While there has been a great deal of attention paid to the risks of exposure to antidepressants, particularly the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), during pregnancy, there has been comparatively little information on the risk of stillbirth and infant mortality in this population. In a recent population-based cohort study utilizing data from all Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden), researchers assessed the risk of stillbirth and infant mortality associated with the use of SSRIs during pregnancy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-06T13:48:29-04:00January 9th, 2013|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|0 Comments

Dr. Lee Cohen in Ob-Gyn News: Using SSRIs in Pregnancy

Over the last decade, attention in the medical literature has gathered logarithmically to focus on potentially efficacious treatments for perinatal depression. Studies of relevant databases, editorials, and various reviews have addressed the reproductive safety concerns of antidepressant treatments, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on one hand, and the impact of untreated maternal psychiatric illness on fetal and maternal well-being on the other.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2024-03-31T10:40:13-04:00December 13th, 2012|Infertility and Mental Health, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|3 Comments

SSRIs and Pregnancy: Putting the Risks and Benefits into Perspective

Prozac hit the market in 1988, the first selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant approved by the FDA for the treatment of depression. Because it was safer and more tolerable than the antidepressants that preceded it, Prozac was soon the most commonly prescribed antidepressant in the United States.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-06T13:57:24-04:00December 6th, 2012|Infertility and Mental Health, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|6 Comments

SSRIs and Cardiovascular Malformations: Another Look

Over the last few years, we have reported on several studies which have suggested an increased risk of certain types of cardiovascular malformations among children exposed to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregnancy. The first reports suggested a link between cardiac septal defects and exposure to paroxetine; subsequent studies have also shown elevated risks with the other SSRIIs.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-10T14:03:04-04:00November 20th, 2012|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|2 Comments

Exposure to Maternal Depression – Not Antidepressants – Predicts Worse Outcomes in Children

While data accumulated over the last 30 years suggest that certain antidepressants may be used with relative safety during pregnancy, our knowledge regarding the risks of prenatal exposure to psychotropic medications is incomplete. Because neuronal migration and differentiation occur throughout pregnancy and into the early years of life, development of the central nervous system (CNS) remains particularly vulnerable throughout pregnancy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-10T14:09:05-04:00November 7th, 2012|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|2 Comments

Low Dose Paroxetine for the Treatment of Hot Flashes

For decades, estrogen has been used to treat menopausal symptoms, including night sweats and hot flashes. However, after studies reported that estrogen increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer, many patients and clinicians have looked into alternative treatments for hot flashes, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T10:51:17-04:00October 16th, 2012|Menopausal Symptoms|1 Comment

Yet Another Study Investigating SSRIs and Their Impact on Neonatal Outcomes

In a recent retrospective cohort study, data collected from linked records from the Women's and Children's Health Network in South Australia were used to investigate neonatal outcomes in children exposed prenatally to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Women were included in this study if they gave birth to a singleton, live-born infant between September 2000 and December 2008 (n = 33,965).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T11:38:25-04:00October 2nd, 2012|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|1 Comment

SSRIs and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: Why You Can’t Just Read the Abstract

Over the past few years, there have been a large number of studies which have relied on large administrative databases to generate information on the reproductive safety of various medications. One of the strengths of this type of approach is that it provides an opportunity to observe outcomes in a large number of subjects; however, there are certain, very important limitations. A recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology helps to understand some of the challenges in interpreting the data generated from these studies.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T11:48:25-04:00September 20th, 2012|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|3 Comments

New Research from the CWMH: Escitalopram and Sleep in Midlife Women with Vasomotor Symptoms

Selective serotonin and serotonin-norepinephrine inhibitors (SSRIs and SNRIs) have been shown to be effective for the treatment of hot flashes. However, these agents may carry certain side effects, including sexual side effects and sleep disturbance. These two side effects may be particularly concerning to peri- and postmenopausal women who, in addition to having vasomotor symptoms, are more likely to experience sexual dysfunction and sleep disruption than premenopausal women.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2018-06-08T09:03:31-04:00August 20th, 2012|Menopausal Symptoms, New Research|1 Comment