SSRI Drug News
Study reinforces link between SSRIs and birth defect
A study published in the British Medical Journal has found that taking a certain class of antidepressants during pregnancy can lead to persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), reinforcing findings from earlier studies. The study echoed the findings of previous research, which has also linked the use of antidepressants during pregnancy to an increased risk of birth defects. More »
Study confirms link between autism and antidepressants
A new study has found that exposure to certain antidepressants before birth increases a child’s risk of being born with autism. The National Institute of Mental Health study found that rats exposed to a type of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during development were much more likely to show signs of autism. More »
Cleveland couple files Zoloft lawsuit over infant’s death
A Cleveland couple has filed a Zoloft lawsuit against the drug’s manufacturer over the death of their infant son in 2009. Susan and James Hodge’s lawsuit against Pfizer alleges that the company failed to properly warn consumers about the increased risk of congenital birth defects for women taking Zoloft during pregnancy. More »
Study uncovers link between Paxil, Zoloft and autism
A study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry has uncovered evidence linking antidepressants such as Paxil and Zoloft to an increased risk of autism. The study found that women who used a class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)—which includes the two drugs—were more likely to give birth to a child with autism spectrum disorders. More »
Studies link SSRIs and birth defects
Babies born to women who take antidepressant during the first trimester of pregnancy face an increased risk of several types of birth defects, two new studies have found. The studies examined whether babies born with birth defects were more likely to have been born to mothers who took antidepressants.
FDA calls for expanded SSRI suicide warning
Federal health officials are calling for new labels that would warn of the link between antidepressants and suicide in young adults. The Food and Drug Administration says that younger patients beginning treatment on antidepressants need to be warned that they can cause suicidal thoughts or behavior.
Psych drugs may have contributed to Cho’s rampage at Va. Tech
Cho Seung-Hui, who murdered 32 students and faculty members at Virginia Tech before killing himself on April 16, is drawing the attention of gun-control advocates. But his medicine cabinet is also of some interest since psychiatric drugs have been linked with dozens of school shootings in the last two decades
Report accuses GSK of hiding Paxil suicide link
A BBC news program has accused drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) of attempting to hide the side effects of its antidepressant drug Paxil. A report by the British network’s Panorama says that GSK employed ghostwriters in order to hide the results of a failed clinical trial which showed that Paxil raised the risk of suicide in patients under 18.
Study links antidepressant use among elderly with broken bones
A Canadian study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine has found that adults over 50 who use a popular type of antidepressant face twice the risk of broken bones as non-users. The study also found that the antidepressant users suffered many more falls than those not on the drugs.
FDA weighs new antidepressant suicide warning
The Food and Drug Administration may issue new warnings about the risk of suicide for several types of antidepressants. The new warnings would advise patients that a class of antidepressants known as SSRIs can increase suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients up to age 24. A previous warning about antidepressant dangers only spoke of a suicide risk for children and adolescents.