Paxil and pregnancy

Pregnant women and those planning to become pregnant should avoid taking Paxil and other antidepressants if possible. There is opinion that the drug poses a risk to the fetus.Several studies have shown that babies have heart defects at a rate that is as much as twice the norm (when pregnant women were taking Paxil during first trimester). The decision whether to treat pregnant women with antidepressants that includes Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro and Paxil, should be made on an individual basis.Reproductive-age women have the highest prevalence of major depressive disorders and the benefit of the treatment with any of the antidepressants may outweigh the risk to the fetus.According the above information GlaxoSmithKline Inc. (Manufacturer of Paxil) has issued a warning to physicians, as it may put women at an added risk for birth defects.