The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 274 No 7336 p166
12 February 2005

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SSRIs should be used with caution during pregnancy

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors should be used with caution in pregnancy because of the risk of neonatal convulsions and neonatal withdrawal syndrome.

A study into SSRI-induced neonatal withdrawal syndrome showed that risk seemed to be increased with all SSRIs and in particular with paroxetine.

Researchers analysed data taken from the World Health Organization adverse drug reaction database and found that the withdrawal effect recently reported in adults is also seen in neonates.

The researchers suggest that, although the widespread use of SSRIs should not be stopped, the issue of safety needs to be addressed by the introduction of clear clinical indications for their use (Lancet 2005;365:482).

The British National Formulary (BNF 48) recommends that SSRIs be used in pregnancy only if the benefit outweighs the risk.