www.safetyissues.com/magazine/2005/2/fmly_newborn.htm -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 2/4/2005
Last Visited: 7/13/2007
"Risks of neonatal convulsions and neonatal withdrawal syndrome seem to be increased with all SSRIs," said Professor Emilio Sanz of the University of La Laguna in Tenerife, Spain."If a pregnant woman is depressed and needs treatment, she should be treated," Sanz said in an interview, but he added that the lowest dose should be used.
The majority of reported cases uncovered by Sanz and his colleagues were associated with paroxetine, which is produced by drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline under the brand name Paxil or Seroxat."Paroxetine should not be used in pregnancy, or if used, it should be given at the lowest effective dose," said Sanz, a specialist in clinical pharmacology.
...
Sanz and his team searched the World Health Organization (WHO) database on adverse drug reactions for convulsions and withdrawal symptoms in newborns associated with the use of SSRIs in 72 countries.Ninety-three cases had been reported by November 2003, which they said suggested a causal relationship."Nearly two-thirds of reported cases of suspected SSRI-induced neonatal withdrawal syndrome were associated with paroxetine," Sanz said.