June 1st, 2010 
Taking common antidepressants while pregnant significantly increases the chances of suffering a miscarriage, a new study warns.
The risk rose by more than two thirds if expectant mothers were taking the drugs, researchers found.
Previous studies have also found a link between antidepressants and birth defects.
Experts warned that doctors should discuss the possible risks with pregnant women.
Depression is a very common illness, and an estimated more than one in 30 women take antidepressants while expecting a baby.
However, there are fears that coming off the drugs can lead patients to a relapse into depression, potentially putting both mother and baby at risk.
Researchers found a link between miscarriage and a type of antidepressants, Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of drugs which includes Prozac.
A combination of different antidepressants could up to double the risk of miscarriage, the study also found.
Dr. Anick Berard, from the University of Montreal, who led the research, said: “These results, which suggest an overall class effect of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, are highly robust given the large number of users studied.
“Physicians who have patients of child-bearing age taking antidepressants or have pregnant patients who require antidepressant therapy early in pregnancy discuss the risks and benefits with them.”
The study looked at 5,124 women who had suffered miscarriages.
They found an increased risk associated with SSRIs, especially Seroxat (also called paroxetine) and Efexor (also called venlafaxine).
Overall, the increased risk was 68 per cent.
The findings were published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Last year a study found that expectant mothers who took Seroxat were three times as likely to have a baby with a heart abnormality and those who took Prozac were four times as likely as other women.
A spokesman for Pfizer, which makes venlafaxine, said: “Pfizer will need to review this study in detail until we can provide any further comment.”
