The information provided by our expert should not constitute a diagnosis of your condition. Always consult a medical practitioner or healthcare provider for a formal diagnosis. By making use of this content, you agree that ConceiveEasy and the expert assume no liability.
A Surprising Find
In a surprising find, a new study is suggesting that there may be a link between antidepressants, pregnancy, and high blood pressure. This could be a big deal since there are tons of women out there who suffer from high blood pressure during pregnancy, and also tons of women out there who take antidepressants during pregnancy as well. So, let’s find out more about this study, and what is determined. Claim Your 20 Free Pregnancy Tests – Click Here
Study Details
The study, conducted by Canadian researchers, took a look at medical data from 1200 women who had high blood pressure during pregnancy, regardless of whether the women did or did not suffer from Preeclampsia as well. The researchers compared that data with the medical data of 12,000 women who did not have high blood pressure.
The study found that women who took selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) after conception were more likely to develop high blood pressure during pregnancy. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are a popular type of antidepressant and include brand names such as Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil, Zoloft, and Prozac.
Is the risk a big one?
Researchers urge women not to freak out over this new study since the increased risk of high blood pressure for women who take antidepressants was very small. There was only one percent greater chance of developing high blood pressure if a woman was on antidepressants, which is a very low risk. However, the risk is increased, no matter how small. So, which antidepressants increased the risk of high blood pressure the most? Paxil was the drug most likely to cause an increased risk of high blood pressure. Prozac and Efexor were also on the list, but not as much of a risk as Paxil.
Researchers said that they weren’t exactly sure WHY the increased risk was present, but hypothesize that it has something to do with how antidepressants affect the body chemicals that cause high blood pressure.
Questions?
If you have questions about the safety of using antidepressants when you are pregnant, make sure to talk with your doctor. While the increased risk of high blood pressure was small in most women, it was still present. Your doctor can help you determine if your case of depression is mild enough to go off of your medication, or if you would benefit more from staying on your medications during the duration of your pregnancy. Either way, make sure you speak with your doctor before discontinuing the use of antidepressants during pregnancy.
Comments