Dec. 08 - FDA Issues Paxil Warning
The Food and Drug Administration is alerting health care professionals and patients about early results of new studies for Paxil (paroxetine) suggesting that the drug increases the risk for birth defects, particularly heart defects, when women take it during the first three months of pregnancy. Paxil is approved for the treatment of depression and several other psychiatric disorders. Paxil is not currently recommended for pregnant women, but the problem arises when a woman taking Paxil becomes pregnant and then continues the medication. FDA is currently gathering additional data and waiting for the final results of the recent studies in order to better understand the higher risk for birth defects that has been seen with Paxil. For the full story on the FDA website, click here. Also, remember that routine exercise and Omega-3 oil supplements are an important part of treating depression.

Dr. Jim