Contrary to what one might think, it is possible to take antidepressant medication during pregnancy. THE Reference Center on Teratogens (CRAT) thus explains that “if treatment is necessary during pregnancy, the following antidepressants can be used, regardless of the term: citalopram (Seropram®), escitalopram (Seroplex®), fluoxetine (Prozac®)…“
In total, the CRAT lists 10 molecules: “for the other antidepressants the data are much less numerous and the decision to use them during pregnancy will be taken on a case-by-case basis“. Experts also recommend that doctors “use the minimum effective dosages necessary for maternal balance, without underdosing“.
During pregnancy, however, antidepressant drugs can be frightening, especially with regard to the potential risks for the health of the fetus… Good news: according to a recent study published by theAmerican Academy of Neurologytreatments for depression do not increase the risk of epilepsy in the unborn child.
The increased risk of epilepsy would come from other factors, such as maternal smoking
To reach this reassuring conclusion, the American researchers studied medical data concerning 1.7 million children born in Sweden and collected over a period of 17 years: among them, 24,000 had been exposed to antidepressant drugs during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Although the scientists initially observed an increased risk of epilepsy in children exposed to antidepressants during the first 3 months of pregnancy, this association disappeared when the researchers adjusted for environmental parameters – such as the age of the mother, the presence (or not) of maternal epilepsy, smoking during pregnancy…
“Our study suggests that the use of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) does not increase the risk of epilepsy in the unborn child. The excess risk documented by previous studies could therefore come from other factors, such as maternal smoking.“conclude the researchers.
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