When Paxil hit the market in 1992, it promptly became one of the bestselling and commonly used drugs all over the world. Yet, the ascendancy of this drug may meet a slow down as studies revealed that this drug could add to the risk of many birth defects. For example, links have been created between
Paxil and neural tube defects making the use of the drug during pregnancy dangerous.
Generically known as paroxetine hydrochloride, Paxil was once classified Pregnancy Category C by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Yet things quickly changed when recent studies on human have shown positive fetal risk making the FDA to change its Pregnancy Category to D. The FDA made this conclusion when a reliable study showed Paxil to be linked to twice as many major birth defects as other antidepressants.
Based on the study, most of the birth defects described were heart-related; atrial and ventricular septal defects. These heart abnormalities refer to the perforations in the chambers of the heart. These defects could affect the newborns blood circulation that may ultimately result in congestive heart failure.
Congenital abnormalities, also known as birth defects, are faults that exist at birth or even before birth. One in every 33 babies is born with a birth defect and birth defects is responsible for at least 1 in every 5 infant deaths. What is more, babies with birth defects are more apt to illness and lifelong disabilities than babies born healthy.
Most birth defects occur in the first trimester of pregnancy a very important stage of development. A number of factors are believed to have caused such defects. Here are some known factors that could increase the chance of having a child with a birth defect:
Taking street drugs, smoking, drinking alcohol during pregnancy
Having medical conditions such as diabetes or obesity
Taking certain medications that are known to cause birth defects
Having someone in their family with a birth defect (For this case, you might need to talk to a genetic counselor.)
Being pregnant at the age of 35 years or beyond
For any concerns with your pregnancy, it is best to talk to your obstetrician or to your health care provider about taking any prescription drugs even over-the-counter medications and dietary or herbal supplements. Furthermore, if you become pregnant in the middle of a therapy especially Paxil drug, inform your doctor before stopping any medications.
