Know More about Birth Defect Facts
By the time Paxil hit the market in 1992, it rapidly became one of the bestselling and regularly used drugs anywhere in the world. However, the success of this drug may meet a hamper as studies revealed that this drug could increase the risk of many birth defects. Links having been established between Paxil and neural tube defects that makes the use of the drug during pregnancy dangerous is a case in point.
Generically known as paroxetine hydrochloride, Paxil was once classified Pregnancy Category C by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, many studies on human have revealed significant fetal risk prompting the FDA to change its Pregnancy Category to D. The FDA came to this point after a study discovered Paxil to be associated to twice as many major birth defects as other antidepressants.
In the study, most of the birth defects identified were heart-related; atrial and ventricular septal defects. These heart abnormalities refer to the perforations in the chambers of the heart. These defects could cause changes in the newborn’s blood circulation that may eventually lead to congestive heart failure.
Congenital abnormalities, also known as birth defects, are faults that exist at birth or even before birth. One out of every 33 babies is born with a congenital defect and these defects account at least 1 in every 5 infant deaths. Moreover, babies with birth defects are more likely to succumb to illness and lifelong disabilities than babies born without birth defects.
A vast number of birth defects occur in the first three months of pregnancy – a very important period of development. A number of factors are believed to have caused such defects. The following are factors that could raise the risk of giving birth to a child with a defect:
- Taking “street” drugs, smoking, drinking alcohol during pregnancy
- Having medical conditions such as diabetes or obesity
- Being pregnant at the age of 35 years or beyond
- Having someone in their family with a birth defect (For this case, you might need to talk to a genetic counselor.)
- Taking certain medications that are known to cause birth defects
For any questions with your health condition, it is best to consult your obstetrician or to your health care provider about taking any prescription drugs even over-the-counter medications and dietary or herbal supplements. Moreover, if you are become pregnant while in the course of a therapy – especially Paxil, notify your doctor before stopping any medications.
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