Medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are frequently prescribed to treat depression and other mood and behavior disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social phobia, and anxiety disorder. For some people, going off SSRIs can cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, lethargy, headaches, and shaking. Since SSRIs are considered the safest antidepressant medication for use in pregnancy, researchers from University of La Laguna in Spain and the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for International Drug Monitoring in Uppsala, Sweden, wondered whether the infants of moms taking SSRIs during pregnancy would experience withdrawal symptoms, too.
Using data from a world health database, researchers identified adverse drug reactions in infants due to SSRI exposure that occurred between 1995 and 2003. Researchers noted the type of drug the infant was exposed to and the symptoms each infant experienced.
By the end of 2003, researchers identified 93 infants who'd undergone withdrawal from SSRI exposure.
- Paroxetine (Paxil) exposure occurred in 64 infants.
- Fluoxetine (Prozac) exposure occurred in 14 infants.
- Sertraline (Zoloft) exposure occurred in nine infants.
- Citalopram (Celexa) exposure occurred in seven infants.
Paroxetine was associated with a higher rate of withdrawal symptoms and convulsions than other types of SSRIs. Infants who had adverse withdrawal symptoms due to SSRI exposure experienced convulsions, nervousness, irritability, trembling, and tight muscle tone.
What This Means to You: According to the results of this study, newborns who were exposed to SSRIs, especially paroxetine, may experience symptoms of drug withdrawal after birth. If you have depression or take antidepressant drugs, and are pregnant or thinking about conceiving a child, talk to your doctor. The doctor can help you manage your depression during pregnancy while reducing the risk of side effects for your baby.
Source: Emilio J. Sanz; Carlos De-las-Cuevas; Anne Kiuru; Andrew Bate; Ralph Edwards; Lancet, February 5, 2005
Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: March 2005
