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Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in the Newborn (PPHN) and Prozac
As one of the world's leading anti-depressants, Prozac has been prescribed to more than 54 million people worldwide, including pregnant women. If taken late in pregnancy, Prozac can cause serious birth defects. Prozac (fluoxetine) is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) that is used to treat major depressive disorder, bulimia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
 Eli Lilly and Company, the makers of Prozac, continues to play down the danger of taking the drug during pregnancy, only stating on their website that "You should also talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or are nursing." For many people already taking Prozac, this "warning" will likely not be noticed.
Meanwhile, On July 19, 2006, the FDA released a warning that SSRI antidepressants can cause serious or life-threatening lung problems in newborns whose mothers took the medication while pregnant. The warning came after a study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine that showed infants were six times more likely to suffer Primary Pulmonary Hypertension in the Newborn (PPHN) after being exposed to SSRIs such as Prozac.
Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) is a serious lung disorder with no obvious cause. PPH occurs when the blood vessels in the lungs constrict, causing increasing pressure in the pulmonary artery, possibly resulting in death. Symptoms of PPH include shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, and fainting spells. Many patients with PPH require a lung transplant.
PPHN is a potentially devastating condition that occurs when the blood vessels in the lungs remain constricted, preventing blood from being oxygenated. The lack of oxygen in the blood puts the infant's organs under stress which then puts the infant at risk of suffering serious complications. Even with treatment 20% of newborns with PPHN die. Symptoms of PPHN include rapid breathing and heart rate, difficulty breathing, or bluish skin.
Infants who survive PPHN may suffer permanent problems including difficulty breathing, seizures, developmental disorders, and hearing loss.
The study from the New England Journal of Medicine showed that the risk of serious health problems increased greatly in infants who were exposed to Prozac during the second half of pregnancy. Generally, PPHN occurs in around one or two infants per 1,000 births. However, in newborns exposed to SSRIs during the late stages of pregnancy, six to twelve infants per 1,000 births developed PPHN. Babies whose mothers took Prozac while pregnant also suffer withdrawal symptoms such as agitation, poor feeding, and insomnia.
The FDA has placed Prozac in Pregnancy Category C. This means that animal studies have indicated that there is a risk to the fetus, but human studies do not show that the risk of birth defects is greater than the risks involved in discontinuing medication. They also warn that Prozac can be transferred to an infant through breast milk.
Prozac Birth Defects in the News
MAY-02-07: Antidepressants such as Prozac and Cymbalta will now come with a warning about the increased risk of suicidal thoughts in children and adolescents. [WTHR: PROZAC]
JAN-22-07: Prozac may increase the risk of bleeding in the gut and brain (a cause of stroke), has been linked to possible birth defects when women take the medication during pregnancy. [CBC NEWS: PROZAC BIRTH DEFECTS]
NOV-30-06: Pregnant women who take SSRIs such as Prozac, may increase the risk for serious complications at birth. [CBC NEWS: PROZAC BIRTH DEFECTS]
Prozac PPH or PPHN Birth Defects
If your child was born with PPHN or later developed PPH, a lawyer may be able to help. Please click the link below to send your Prozac birth defects complaint which will be reviewed by an attorney at no cost to you.
Posted on Nov-6-06
Updated on Nov-21-09 |
PPHN AND PROZAC ARTICLES AND INTERVIEWS
New Study Reaffirms the Risks of Prozac Birth Defects
 Rockville, MD: In the latest update to a study of potential Prozac birth defects conducted last month, Science Daily reports that women who take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medications while pregnant face a greater risk of premature delivery. [ Read More ]
Prozac still Prescribed to Pregnant Women
Indiana: "My obstetrician said that I should stay on Prozac throughout my pregnancy," says Melissa Christensen. "I wish he knew in 2002 what I know today - that Prozac is toxic to the fetus in the last three months." [ Read More ]
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