SSRIs - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

SSRIs and Pregnancy: Putting the Risks into Perspective

Depression is common during pregnancy, affecting 10% to 15% of women. While psychotherapy is an attractive option for the treatment of depression during pregnancy, all women do not respond to this intervention and many require pharmacotherapy. Thus far, no antidepressants have yet been approved by the FDA for use during pregnancy. Although data accumulated over the past 30 years suggest that certain medications, including the serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may be used safely during pregnancy, several new studies have raised concerns regarding the use of these medications during pregnancy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T10:29:44-04:00October 7th, 2007|Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

Expert Guidelines for the Treatment of PMDD

In this review, guidelines for the treatment of PMDD are provided.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T10:23:13-04:00August 31st, 2007|PMS & PMDD, Treatment|Comments Off

Use of SSRIs During Pregnancy

Q. I have been taking antidepressants on and off for the last ten years, and I am now planning a pregnancy. I am now on Effexor, and my psychiatrist recommended switching to Prozac and staying on it up until the end of the second trimester. He said that antidepressants should be avoided later on in pregnancy because they may cause problems for the baby at the time of delivery. I am concerned about having to come off my medication for such a long time. In the past, every time I have tried to stop the medication, my depression has come back within a month or so.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T10:01:52-04:00July 30th, 2006|Anxiety Disorders, Child Outcomes, Depressive Disorders, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

SSRIs and Neonatal Outcomes: A Population-Based Study from Finland

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. Several recent studies have suggested that exposure to SSRIs at the time of delivery may be associated with poor perinatal outcomes (Casper 2003, Laine 2003, Simon 2002, Zeskind and Stephens 2004) and prompted the FDA to include warnings in the packaging inserts regarding the use of certain antidepressants, including the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and venlafaxine (Effexor), during pregnancy. These studies have been reviewed previously on the CWMH website (Newsletters Fall 2004 and Spring 2005).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-23T14:51:24-04:00January 24th, 2006|Antidepressants, Neonatal Symptoms, Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

Reviewing the Safety of SSRI’s in Pregnancy

Over the past 15 years, multiple studies have addressed the reproductive safety of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Data on the overall teratogenicity of SSRIs come from relatively small cohort studies and larger international programs, and they have cumulatively supported the reproductive safety of fluoxetine (Prozac) and certain other SSRIs. However, several recent studies have raised concerns regarding the use of SSRIs during pregnancy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-23T14:50:24-04:00December 31st, 2005|Antidepressants, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications, Pregnancy Outcomes|Comments Off

Venlafaxine for Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression (PPD) is relatively common, occurring in about 10 to 15% of women after delivery. Several reports have documented the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) sertraline, fluoxetine, and fluvoxamine for the treatment of this disorder. In a recent report, Cohen and colleagues have demonstrated the efficacy of venlafaxine for the treatment of PPD.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:24:00-04:00February 20th, 2002|Medication, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Treatment|Comments Off

Intermittent Dosing of SSRIs for PMS

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors or SSRIs have been shown to be effective for the treatment of premenstrual symptoms. These medications are not only useful for treating the irritability, depression and anxiety that occur during the 1-2 weeks before the menstrual period but may also help alleviate some of the physical symptoms of PMS.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-20T09:25:29-04:00April 6th, 2000|Medication, PMS & PMDD, Treatment|Comments Off