# Widely Used Antidepressants (Paxil, Pexeva, Seroxat, Brisdelle, Rexetin) Linked to Birth Defects **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 20, 2016, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/widely-used-antidepressants-paxil-pexeva-seroxat-brisdelle-rexetin-linked-to-birth-defects/743660 "2016-01-20T06:04:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/widely-used-antidepressants-paxil-pexeva-seroxat-brisdelle-rexetin-linked-to-birth-defects/743660/1 "2016-01-20T06:04:25Z")
I know a lot of dopers are on various psychological meds and/or know people who are, and possibly some of these are pregnant or contemplating pregnancy, so I thought this might be of interest. [Widely Prescribed Antidepressant Linked to Birth Defects](http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/857244?src=wnl_edit_newsal&uac=69152PN&impID=960373&faf=1) > [@](#): > > Taking a widely used antidepressant during the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for congenital and cardiac malformations, concludes a systematic review and meta-analysis by Canadian researchers. > > Anick Bérard, PhD, Research Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and colleagues found that use of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) paroxetine (multiple brands) during the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with a 23% increased risk for major congenital malformations and a 28% increased risk for major cardiac malformations. > > Although noting that the absolute risk for congenital and cardiac malformations is low, the team writes: “Regardless of the size of the risk, it is essential to disseminate these findings given that it should be used to change practice, and impact appropriate antidepressant use during pregnancy.” ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/widely-used-antidepressants-paxil-pexeva-seroxat-brisdelle-rexetin-linked-to-birth-defects/743660/2 "2016-01-20T09:52:48Z")
I thought this was considered common knowledge or at least assumed to consider seriously enough that my wife stopped her Paxil each time she was pregnant, the last time being nearly 10 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/widely-used-antidepressants-paxil-pexeva-seroxat-brisdelle-rexetin-linked-to-birth-defects/743660/3 "2016-01-20T13:03:29Z")
Yeah, I thought so too, I was off mine when we were TTC. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/widely-used-antidepressants-paxil-pexeva-seroxat-brisdelle-rexetin-linked-to-birth-defects/743660/4 "2016-01-20T16:37:03Z")
That said, there probably are situations where it is safer for the mother to continue her medications rather than not. While minimizing risk to the fetus and drugs for the mother is in general a good rule of thumb there are medical situations out there where the medications can’t or shouldn’t be interrupted for nine months. As always, this would be something to discuss with a doctor in real life when appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/widely-used-antidepressants-paxil-pexeva-seroxat-brisdelle-rexetin-linked-to-birth-defects/743660/5 "2016-01-20T17:58:34Z")
Most antidepressants are pregnancy category C, meaning that animal studies have shown the possibility of adverse effects, but there are no reliable human studies, and the benefits may outweigh the risk. By point of comparison, hydrocortisone, tramadol, prednisone, Cipro, Sudafed, and dextromethorphan are also in this category. Paxil is category D, which means that there is a positively identified risk to humans, but the benefits may still outweigh the risk. Tetracycline and Klonopin are also category D, and ibuprofen and full-dose aspirin are in this category in the third trimester. Below those is category X, where the risks clearly outweigh the benefits. Statins, warfarin, Propecia, and of course thalidomide fall into this category. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/widely-used-antidepressants-paxil-pexeva-seroxat-brisdelle-rexetin-linked-to-birth-defects/743660/6 "2016-01-20T18:40:08Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > That said, there probably are situations where it is safer for the mother to continue her medications rather than not. While minimizing risk to the fetus and drugs for the mother is in general a good rule of thumb there are medical situations out there where the medications can’t or shouldn’t be interrupted for nine months. > > As always, this would be something to discuss with a doctor in real life when appropriate. Agreed.