Pregnancy sometimes causes depression but taking antidepressants while pregnant proved bothersome for women. Spreading in the news like wildfire, the risks associated in using antidepressants is a hot topic. Complaints about those drugs have caught the attention of the Food and Drug Administration . Purchasing antidepressants is easy because many of its formulations are available in the market. Depressed men and women are not the only ones who use antidepressants but also those that are suffering from diabetes. Simultaneous treatment of depression and diabetes , as was seen in many researches.
Because of the increasing number of men and women taking antidepressants, the FDA has been trying to warn the public of the possible risks. Toward creating new markets and increasing acceptability among women, some pharmaceutical companies are even marketing antidepressants that are safe to take during
pregnancy. The rationale is clear: Pregnancy is a sensitive time for women and the drugs that can be taken are generally limited. This dilemma often leaves women confused.
pregnancy. The rationale is clear: Pregnancy is a sensitive time for women and the drugs that can be taken are generally limited. This dilemma often leaves women confused.
Doctors are advised by the FDA to brief their patients of the potential risks associated with antidepressant use. Unraveling the side effects of the drugs have been one of the main focus of the studies. Researches are being done extensively to really get to know its benefits and risks.
Babies that have developed birth defects because their mothers had put on antidepressants all throughout their pregnancy had been reported to the FDA. Obstetricians and gynecologists do not advise women to take any medications during the first trimester. The first trimester comprises weeks when the baby develops his or her organs and taking medications during this time would affect organ formation. Particular birth defects had been linked to the use of Sertraline or Zoloft during the first trimester. The inner workings of antidepressants are yet to be known.
The benefits should outweigh the risks if a woman will take antidepressants all through her pregnancy. A woman needs to watch out for certain risks in the antidepressant that she are using. A category C was given by the FDA to Zoloft. Up to 4.5 percent of pregnant women are taking antidepressants throughout their pregnancy, according to the latest survey of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Some women who are taking Zoloft are thinking that maybe their babies will develop Zoloft birth defects .
URL References:
- http://www.otispregnancy.org/files/sertraline.pdf
- http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/antidepressants/DN00007
- http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/pregnancy_gateway/meds/data.html
