Obstreticians Say Pregnant Women Should Avoid Paxil

By Keely Hyslop

Published on December 12, 2006

The committee’s opinion, published in the December issue of the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, cites the risk of birth defects as the reason for the recommendation. The opinion is supported by actions taken by the FDA and Paxil’s manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, almost a year ago when the drug was reclassified in response to data suggesting that the drug posed a risk to fetuses. Two studies of pregnant women who were taking Paxil during their first trimester showed that the drug nearly doubled the likelihood of heart defects in newborns.

Paxil is a member of a class of drugs known as SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, and several other antidepressants also belong to this group. Studies have shown that use of SSRIs late in a pregnancy may be associated with short-term complications in newborns. Recognizing that reproductive-age women have the highest incidence of depression and depressive disorders, the committee commented that any decision to prescribe an SSRI other than Paxil to a pregnant woman suffering from depression should be made on a case by case basis, weighing the potential benefits to the mother against any perceived risk to the fetus.

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