Lexapro Birth Defect Articles

San Diego, CA: A new study suggests that in addition to an increased risk of Lexapro birth defects, Lexapro side effects may include hypertension when a woman takes the antidepressant while pregnant. The study examined the use of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs, a class of drug that includes Lexapro) while pregnant and found an increased risk of hypertension in the expectant mother.

Philadelphia, PA: A recently released study suggests newborns could be at risk of Lexapro side effects, including serious Lexapro birth defects. The study, which found that infants exposed to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) prior to birth had an increased risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension, was published in the British Medical Journal. Meanwhile, Forest Laboratories Inc., maker of Lexapro, faces allegations that it paid a researcher to fix study results.

Jackson, MS: A new study suggests that the list of reported Lexapro birth defects could include an increased risk of autism. The study suggests a link between SSRIs and autism, and although the study did not include Lexapro, it is possible that the findings could be extended to include a link between Lexapro and autism.

Montreal, Quebec: A new study found that heart attack patients who take both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants and antiplatelet drugs could have a higher risk for bleeding, highlighting some of the potential Lexapro side effects, according to HealthDay.

Las Vegas, NV: Since at least 2009, research has shown that all SSRIs—and that includes Lexapro—put developing infants at risk for a wide range of birth defects and serious illnesses after birth. Lexapro is now considered a pregnancy Category C medication, meaning the antidepressant may not be safe to use during pregnancy. Yet it takes some searching on the manufacturer's website to find any Lexapro birth defect warnings.

Tokyo, Japan: While Lexapro birth defects and other side effects have been well documented in recent years, the medication has been launched in Japan after positive studies, according to a release from pharmaceutical company H. Lundbeck A/S.

Washington, DC: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently made an announcement regarding the use of Celexa in some patients, but that warning did not include information about potential Lexapro side effects, even though Lexapro is closely related to Celexa. Lexapro, an SSRI used to treat anxiety and major depressive disorder, is part of a class of drugs that has been linked to newborn birth defects including persistent pulmonary hypertension.

Baltimore, MD: While the risks of antidepressants have been well-documented, including Lexapro birth defects, it appears as though Americans are increasing their use of the drugs despite these risks.

San Diego, CA: For pregnant women, a main concern is taking precautions to ensure their babies have as little risk as possible of having newborn birth defects. For mothers taking antidepressants, however, the risk of birth defects may seem unclear. Studies have linked antidepressants such as Lexapro to birth defects, and such Lexapro side effects in children could possibly be serious. A recent study has even suggested that Lexapro birth defects could include a risk of autism.

Washington, DC: Birth defects are not only tragic, they remain a source of guilt for the parent—and there are always a million questions. What could I have done to prevent this? Had I done something differently, could the tragedy have been avoided? Worse still, is the gnawing suspicion that the SSRI antidepressant you ingested while pregnant might have led to Lexapro birth defects.