Prozac in Pregnancy

Allan S. Brett, MD, Director, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of South Carolina and W Levinson

Nov 1, 1996

Allan S. Brett, MD, Director, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of South Carolina and W Levinson

November 1, 1996

Allan S. Brett, MD, Director, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of South Carolina and W Levinson

November 1, 1996

Is fluoxetine (Prozac) safe for pregnant women? These researchers compared birth outcomes among 228 women who took this antidepressant during pregnancy with those in 254 . . .

Is fluoxetine (Prozac) safe for pregnant women? These researchers compared birth outcomes among 228 women who took this antidepressant during pregnancy with those in 254 pregnant controls who had no obvious teratogenic exposures. All the women had called a teratogen information service in California; 30% of fluoxetine users were taking other psychotherapeutic drugs.

Rates of major structural anomalies in infants were similar for the fluoxetine and control groups (5.5% vs. 4%). However, fluoxetine users were significantly more likely to have an infant with three or more minor structural abnormalities (15.5% vs. 6.5%). Infants whose mothers used fluoxetine during the third trimester had a significantly increased risk for premature delivery, ad…

Reviewing Authors

Allan S. Brett, MD, Director, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of South Carolina

W Levinson