Article by Robert Levine

“Based on combined data from previous studies, these assertive conclusions raise concerns about the efficacy of antidepressants if patients do not report a rapid improvement of depression symptoms,” shares lead study author Ralitza Geuorguieva from the Yale University School of Health.

“You know within the first couple weeks who’s the most likely to benefit because they’re already starting to show improvement. I think this finding holds true for the antidepressants that are most commonly used today,” commented Dr. Michael Thase, a psychiatrist from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, who has no involvement in the research study.

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Depression medication during pregnancy is a tough call for doctors and patients alike because in most cases during pregnancy any and all medications should be avoided if possible.  Of course there are always exceptions that require the mother to be on medication.

Depression and anxiety treatment is one such an exception. Lexapro is an anti-depressant drug that has been proven to successfully treat anxiety and depression. It is the newest addition to the family of drugs known as the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. Pregnancy medicine has a rating and it must be noted that Lexapro is a category “C” medicine. This means it should be given to pregnant women only if the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the newborn.  This is the deciding factor for doctors when using any depression medication during pregnancy.

Possible risks associated with Lexapro: Studies have shown that babies born to mothers using Lexapro can develop a condition called persistent pulmonary hypertension. This condition is characterized by babies having abnormal blood flow to the lungs and heart and a low overall level of oxygen in the blood. This indicates a higher than normal occurrence of illness and deaths for babies with PPHN vs. those babies not afflicted. Lexapro also poses and increased risk of birth defects in babies. These are usually heart defects that can only be repaired surgically. Other side effects demonstrated by the babies who have been exposed to Lexapro include constant crying, feeding problems and insomnia.

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Modern anti-depressant medications were first made available in 1987. Known as SSRIs – Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors – these are medications that are only available with a prescription. They were originally formulated to relieve both depression as well as anxiety disorders.

However, over the course of time doctors began to prescribe them for a wide variety of additional psychiatric and physical maladies. This conditions included alcoholism, bulimia nervosa, obesity, OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), and borderline personality disorder.

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I’m 13 weeks pregnant and i have extreme migraines. I’ve always had migraines but since becoming pregnant i get it more often. My OBGYN prescribed me some medications. ON Sunday morning I went to fill my prescription along with my prenatal medication, and the pharmacist was very hesitant about given me the medication. He told me this medication is part of the FDA pregnancy risk Category C. There’s been reports of babies being born with physical abnormalities. Women who’ve taking this medication during their 3rd trimester have had infants who had seizures due to the withdrawal and they get ventilatory depression. He really didnt want me to take the medicine. I didn’t take it. I called my doctor today and he said it was fine. I don’t even know what to do. The medicine contains acetaminophen, butalbital and caffeine.

Currently take 25 mg of Seroquel every night, not a whole lot, but enough to work…unfortunately, also enough to cause birth defects.

that is considered safe?

what types of antidepressants are good for depression when you are pregnant? that are safe and wont harm the baby? im looking for answers from people with experience dealing with a pregnancy counselor who felt like they needed meds for it too.

My friend recently found out she was about 7 weeks pregnant. Her OB/GYN doc stopped all her anti-depressant medications. She is super depressed, but doc still says no anti-depressant medications. Her mother & her ex-husband (father of her older child) have died within the last 11 months. I try to encourage & go do fun female stuff with her but she just stays depressed. Are there any anti-depressant medications for pregnancy?

I have got to find out! i feel like i am boxed in and going crazy! right after i found out i was pregnant, i found out my mom had brain tumors that was caused by stage 4 lung cancer. they’ve told her last week she has a year give or take to live….i feel like i am going crazy, but trying to not break down knowing it wont help my mom….is there any kind of anxiety medication safe to use during pregnancy?

I have been on my medication for 4 years now. I tried to get off of them because my husband and I want a baby. I realized how important for my function it was to be on the medication. I am on Effexor now on the lowest dose and take it every other day. I am not too happy with the research that has been done. Does anyone have a better idea? Please help me!