Paxil: DOUBLE RATE OF BIRTH DEFECTS IN PREGNANT MOTHERS New Study

PAXIL: DOUBLE RATE OF BIRTH DEFECTS IN PREGNANT MOTHERS

Australian authorities have just warned that mothers taking Paxil
(paroxetine) are going to be suffering far more depression as they learn that
the drug
they were taking to make them feel better has TWICE the chance of producing a
birth defect in their unborn child. As a result the agency, Therapeutic Goods
Administration (TGA - similar to our FDA), has reclassified Paxil from a grade
C to a grade D drug - one that should be avoided during pregnancy.

The new warnings for Paxil and other SSRIs are spelled out in the following
quote:

"Details from a preliminary analysis of GlaxoSmithKline data showed a higher
incidence of congenital malformations, particularly ventricular septal
defects, in babies born to women taking the drug.

"Babies of women taking paroxetine in the first trimester of pregnancy were
2.2 times more likely to be born with a congenital malformation and 2.08 times
more likely to have a cardiovascular malformation than those born to women
taking other antidepressants, the data showed.

"A second population-based Danish study found a 60% increase in cardiac
abnormalities among babies of mothers taking SSRIs."

Now I will remind you that when you hear a warning about one drug in a class
of drugs that are designed to work in the same way DO NOT EVER think that just
because the drug you are taking is spelled differently and has a different
chemical makeup that the result may be different!! The thing is that the drug
works in the same manner - the end result is the same, not different. And the
definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over and over again and
expecting a different result.

Every time I see doctors take a patient reacting to one SSRI antidepressant
and switch them to another and then another and yet another, as they so often
do, I wonder why they think they are going to get a different response. It is
insane! So when you hear a warning on one of these drugs expect to sooner or
later hear similar warnings on the other antidepressants. Red flags going up on
one of them should be a red flag for the others in the same class that work in
a similar way. Paxil may have raised red flags first because it has a
stronger effect upon the reuptake of serotonin, but over time you will get the
same
effect with one not as strong. Because Celexa and Lexapro are even more
powerful on serotonin reuptake that should make them potentially more deadly in
producing side effects yet, notice here that the doctor they have interviewed to
defend the antidepressants has suggested that these drugs are safer.

Also please note that this agency has warned that Effexor be avoided during
pregnancy due to the severe withdrawal the baby suffers. Other warnings are
also listed on withdrawal in babies produced by the other antidepressants.

Dr. Tracy
______________________

Dr. Ann Blake Tracy, Executive Director,
International Coalition For Drug Awareness
www.drugawareness.org
Author of the "Bible on Antidepressants," Prozac:
Panacea or Pandora? - Our Serotonin Nightmare
& audio "Help! I Can't Get Off My Antidepressant!"
(Order: 800-280-0730)
_________________________




http://news.australiandoctor.com.au/...1/0c036641.asp


First trimester antidepressant risk

15-Sep-2005


By Tony James
*
THE antidepressant paroxetine should be avoided during pregnancy because it
may double the rate of birth defects, the Therapeutic Goods Administration
warns.

Details from a preliminary analysis of GlaxoSmithKline data showed a higher
incidence of congenital malformations, particularly ventricular septal defects,
in babies born to women taking the drug.

Babies of women taking paroxetine in the first trimester of pregnancy were
2.2 times more likely to be born with a congenital malformation and 2.08 times
more likely to have a cardiovascular malformation than those born to women
taking other antidepressants, the data showed.

A second population-based Danish study found a 60% increase in cardiac
abnormalities among babies of mothers taking SSRIs.

Although the link may not be causal, the TGA has reclassified paroxetine from
a pregnancy category C drug to a category D drug, recommending it be avoided
in pregnancy.

Responding to the findings, psychiatrist Associate Professor Anne Buist,
director of the beyondblue national postnatal depression program, emphasised the
need to weigh up the risks of inadequately treated prenatal depression against
the adverse effects of medications.

Ideally, antidepressants should be avoided in pregnancy, but prenatal
depression can also be associated with difficulties in child rearing,
developmental
delays and later depression in the child, she said.

Although rare, maternal suicide is a leading cause of maternal death.

Data from thousands of women treated with fluoxetine suggested it might
increase the risk of premature birth, so on current evidence sertraline (Zoloft)
or
citalopram (Celapram, Cipramil) were probably the best choices when an
antidepressant was considered essential before or during pregnancy, Professor
Buist
said.

Venlafaxine (Efexor) should be avoided, because of withdrawal syndromes in
newborns and unsuitability while breastfeeding, she said. Generally, SSRIs
should be tapered especially those with a short half-life such as paroxetine to
avoid a discontinuation syndrome unless immediately commencing another SSRI.