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Q: I recently found out I’m pregnant. If I’m taking the antidepressant Paxil, will this drug harm my fetus?Ask Our Expert About Pregnancy and Paxil About Our Experts
Susan Wiley, M.D. is a psychiatrist at Lehigh Valley Health Network.
Education
B.A. in Biochemistry, Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, Ill. M.D., 1978, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia Internship in Rehabilitation Medicine, Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia Residency in Psychiatry University of Pennsylvania
 Joseph Patruno, M.D. is a gynecologist at Lehigh Valley Health Network.
Practicing Medicine Since 1999 Education B.A. in Psychology, 1989, Dickinson College Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology Pennsylvania State University - Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Board Certification Board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Q: I recently found out I’m pregnant. If I’m taking the antidepressant Paxil, will this drug harm my fetus?A: The Food and Drug Administration recently changed the classification of Paxil (paroxetine) from a category 'C' to a category 'D.' In a category 'C,' no well-controlled studies have been done in pregnant women that show a risk of harm to the fetus. In category 'D' studies a drug raises the risk of fetal abnormalities, but the benefits of the drug may still outweigh those risks. The FDA took this action after two studies found a greater rate of heart-related birth defects (such as a hole in the wall of one of the chambers in the heart) in babies born to women who took Paxil during early pregnancy compared to women who took other antidepressants. In the general population, the risk of heart-related birth defects is one in 100 infants. When mothers take Paxil, that risk rises to one in 50 infants. Q: Are there safer alternatives?A: Yes, safer antidepressants include Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline),and Celexa (citalopram hydrobromide). Although these drugs are uniquely different from one another chemically, they all work similarly to Paxil and provide comparable results. Prozac in particular has been on the market for many years and has a solid safety record. Q: Should I stop taking Paxil?A: No, talk with your physician before doing anything. Together you can decide whether you should stay on Paxil (in some cases the benefits may outweigh the risks) or switch to a different antidepressant. Do not stop taking your medication without talking to your doctor. Doing so may trigger depression and hinder your ability to eat well, rest, relax and take good care of yourself - and your baby - during pregnancy.
This page last updated 10/15/08 02:41 PM
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