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Summer 1998
Teratogen Hot Topic
Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors: Prozac, Luvox, Paxil, Zoloft

• Pregnancy

  Based on the available information, there does not appear to be an increased risk for birth defects with exposure to fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxitine (Paxil), sertaline (Zoloft) when used during the first trimester (conception to 14 weeks) of pregnancy.

  Should a woman continue fluoxetine (Prozac) throughout pregnancy, it is possible that the infant may experience signs of toxicity upon delivery. Reported symptoms include respiratory and feeding difficulties and jitteriness. However, the data is not conclusive to indicate cause and effect for fluoxetine related toxicity. There are no conclusive human studies that assess whether there is a risk of fluoxetine use during the second and third trimester. Benefit of the drug may outweigh the potential risk of the drug exposure. Discussion with your health care provider is recommended.

  Second and third trimester exposure to fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxitine (Paxil), sertaline (Zoloft) have not been studied.
   

• Breast Feeding

  Based on the available information, fluoxetine gets into the breast milk in small amounts and does not have an adverse effect on the breastfed infant. However, a small number of infants may experience agitation, irritability, vomiting and feeding difficulties. If these symptoms occur in the infant when using the fluoxetine while breast feeding, please contact your or your infant's health care provider.

  Other serotonin reuptake inhibitors {fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxitine (Paxil), sertaline (Zoloft)} have not been studied in breast feeding women.

  Contributed by Pregnancy RiskLine  (UT)