12th December 2002
ANTIDEPRESSANTS DURING PREGNANCY GIVEN BAD PRESS
Taking antidepressants during pregnancy doesn't harm unborn infants, although one particular type of drug may increase the risk of premature delivery, say researchers.
American researchers from the Group Health Cooperative in Seattle and the University of Washington looked at the effects of antidepressants on unborn infants and compared them to a control group of babies not exposed to the drugs. The women had taken either tricyclic antidepressants or SSRIs - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors - in the 270 days before delivery.
The results, which are published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, show that tricyclic antidepressants were fine to take and didn't cause any problems for babies. The SSRIs, though, appeared to increase the risk of premature delivery and lower birth weights.
Lead researcher, Dr. Gregory Simon, admits antidepressants can be extremely useful for pregnant women who suffer from depression and most forms are okay. However, he suggests women considering using the SSRI variety should balance up the risks and benefits, talk to their doctor and make their decision carefully.
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