Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRIs) is a classification of an antidepressant that works by balancing brain chemicals that affect its neurotransmitters. Many experts believe that depression is caused when these brain chemicals are imbalanced.
Paxil, a drug manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, is an FDA approved antidepressant. The company says that 25% of individuals who take Paxil are women of childbearing age between 18 and 45 years old. However, recent reports reveal that this drug could cause birth defects including heart defects and Paxil brain defects.
What does Paxil Treat?
Doctors prescribe Paxil to patients who suffer from depression, obsessive compulsive disroder, panic disorder, mood disorders and other serious mental disorders. This drug is also the first ever antidepressant to be approved to treat social anxiety disorder(SAD).
Why SSRIs such as Paxil Could be Dangerous
Studies made on Paxil were reveiwed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and showed that women who took Paxil during the first three months of their pregnancy were at least one and a half times more likely to have babies who suffer from birth defects. In a news release made in 2005, the FDA states, “Healthcare professionals are advised to carefully weigh the potential risks and benefits of using [Paxil] in women during pregnancy and to discuss these findings as well as treatment alternatives with their patients.”
What are Paxil Birth Defects?
Some of the known birth defects that Paxil could cause are the following:
- Paxil withdrawal
- premature birth
- heart defects
- neural tube defects
- macrocephaly
- gastrochisis abdominal hernia
- clubbed foot
- developmental delay
- craniosynostosis
- miscarriage
- PPHN or persistent pulmonary hypertension
- cleft palate
- spina bifida
- cleft lip
- brain defects
In a post from Paxil’s website, it states, “Babies born to mothers who have taken antidepressants, including SSRIs such as Paxil, in the third trimester of pregnancy have reported complications, including difficulties with breathing, turning blue, seizures, changing body temperature, feeding problems, vomiting, low blood sugar, floppiness, stiffness, tremor, shakiness, irritability or constant crying. Tube feeding, help with breathing and longer hospitalization may be needed. There have also been reports of premature births in pregnant women exposed to SSRIs, including Paxil.”
Paxil is classified as a pregnancy category D drug by the FDA which means that studies made have concluded that Paxil could pose a health threat on newborns. However, several have found themselves affected with the serious side effects and birth defects that are caused by taking this drug.
Tags: seasonal affective disorder, mental health, depression