SSRI - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

SSRIs in Pregnancy and Neonatal Distress Syndrome

Most obstetricians are now familiar with the potential for what has become known as neonatal distress syndrome (or "adaptation" syndrome) following third trimester exposure to SSRIs. Some patients still worry about the possibility of their baby developing neonatal distress syndrome, especially if anything unusual happened during the post-delivery experience of an earlier pregnancy. Women may be concerned about whether and to what degree the medication they were on played a role in their infant's distress and whether to continue that medication during a subsequent pregnancy. The following case may help illustrate the decision-making dilemmas.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:01:29-04:00February 17th, 2009|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|1 Comment

PPHN and SSRIs: Another Study Evaluating the Risk

In 2006, Chambers and colleagues published an article linking SSRI use during late pregnancy to an increased risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn (PPHN). Based on the results of this analysis, the authors estimated the risk of PPHN to be about 1% in infants exposed to SSRIs late in pregnancy (after 20 weeks). However, subsequent studies did not demonstrate a significant association between PPHN and SSRI usage. A new study, this one relying upon data from the Swedish Medical Birth Register, has observed an elevated risk of PPHN among SSRI-exposed infants.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T14:44:41-04:00September 16th, 2008|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|0 Comments

Accumulating Data on Prenatal Exposure to SSRIs

November, 2006 by LEE COHEN, M.D. Over the last year, several studies on possible neonatal effects of prenatal exposure to SSRIs have been reviewed in this column. These studies have raised concerns about potential risks, [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2020-12-11T12:38:11-04:00April 29th, 2008|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|0 Comments

How to Treat Anxiety Symptoms During Pregnancy

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By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T11:11:38-04:00December 11th, 2007|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|32 Comments

ACOG Opinion on SSRI Use During Pregnancy

Recent reports have raised questions regarding the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) during pregnancy. To date, no professional medical association has issued formal guidelines regarding the use of SSRIs during pregnancy. However, in December the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ACOG published an opinion paper on this topic that is noteworthy for its clarity and balanced review of the existing data on the reproductive safety of SSRI antidepressants (Obstetrics and Gynecology 2006;108:1601-3). The ACOG report addressed the following issues:

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T10:50:42-04:00November 12th, 2007|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|0 Comments

Evaluating the Long-Term Effects of Prenatal Antidepressant Exposure

Over the last decade information has accumulated regarding the safety of antidepressants taken during pregnancy. While much research has addressed the effect of antidepressant drugs on risk for congenital malformation, less research has focused on the long-term effects of prenatal antidepressant exposure.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T10:14:44-04:00February 20th, 2007|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|0 Comments

Withdrawal Symptoms in Newborns Exposed to SSRIs

A recent report suggests that newborns exposed to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressants such as Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa and Paxil may be at risk for developing withdrawal symptoms after delivery (Levinson-Castiel 2005). However, the investigators also noted that the symptoms usually disappeared within 48 hours and did not require medical intervention.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T09:51:11-04:00April 24th, 2006|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|0 Comments

SSRIs and Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn

Literature accumulated over the last decade supports the use of certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the older tricyclic antidepressants during pregnancy, indicating no increased risk of congenital malformation in children exposed to these medications during the first trimester of pregnancy. Still, questions remain regarding the purported risk for "toxicity" in newborns exposed to antidepressants around the time of labor and delivery (see Fall 2004 and Spring 2005 Newsletters). In addition, a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has linked SSRI use during late pregnancy to an increased risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn (Chambers 2006).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T09:48:04-04:00April 24th, 2006|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|3 Comments

Neonatal Symptoms After In Utero Exposure to SSRIs

The increasing number of reproductive-age women taking antidepressants has raised concerns about the potential risks of using these medications during pregnancy. Literature accumulated over the last decade supports the use of certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the older tricyclic antidepressants during pregnancy, indicating no increased risk of congenital malformation in children exposed to these medications during the first trimester of pregnancy. Still, questions remain regarding the purported risk for "toxicity" in newborns exposed to antidepressants around the time of labor and delivery. These concerns are not new. Twenty years ago, case reports suggested that maternal use of tricyclic antidepressants near the time of delivery was associated with problems in the newborn such as difficulty feeding, restlessness, or jitteriness.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-22T15:28:43-04:00July 27th, 2005|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|0 Comments

Pregnancy and SSRIs: Is There a Risk to the Newborn?

The increasing number of reproductive-age women taking antidepressants has raised concerns about the potential risks of using these medications during pregnancy. Literature accumulated over the last decade supports the use of certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the older tricyclic antidepressants during pregnancy, indicating no increased risk of congenital malformation in children exposed to these medications during the first trimester of pregnancy. Still, questions remain regarding the purported risk for “toxicity” in newborns exposed to antidepressants around the time of labor and delivery. These concerns are not new. Twenty years ago, case reports suggested that maternal use of tricyclic antidepressants near the time of delivery was associated with problems in the newborn such as difficulty feeding, restlessness, or jitteriness.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-21T11:39:06-04:00October 15th, 2004|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|0 Comments