8.1Pregnancy Risk Summary Based
on data from published observational studies, exposure to SSRIs, particularly in the month before delivery, has been associated with a less than 2-fold increase in the risk of postpartum hemorrhage [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) and Clinical Considerations] . Paroxetine is associated with a less than 2-fold increase in cardiovascular malformations when administered to a pregnant woman during the first trimester.
While individual epidemiological studies on the association between paroxetine use and cardiac malformations have reported inconsistent findings, some meta-analyses of epidemiological studies have identified an increased risk of cardiovascular malformations (see Data ). There are risks of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) (see Data) and/or poor neonatal adaptation with exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including paroxetine during pregnancy.
There also are risks associated with untreated depression in pregnancy (see Clinical Considerations ). For women who intend to become pregnant or who are in their first trimester of pregnancy, paroxetine should be initiated only after consideration of the other available treatment options. No evidence of treatment related malformations was observed in animal reproduction studies, when paroxetine was administered during the period of organogenesis at doses up to 50 mg/kg/day in rats and 6 mg/kg/day in rabbits.
These doses are approximately 8 (rat) and less than 2 (rabbit) times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD – 60 mg) on an mg/m 2 basis. When paroxetine was administered to female rats during the last trimester of gestation and continued through lactation, there was an increase in the number of pup deaths during the first four days of lactation. This effect occurred at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day which is less than the MRHD on an mg/m 2 basis ( See Data ).
The background risks of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations are unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the US general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and/or embryofetal risk Women who discontinue antidepressants during pregnancy are more likely to experience a relapse of major depression than women who continue antidepressants.
This finding is from a prospective, longitudinal study of 201 pregnant women with a history of major depressive disorder who were euthymic and taking antidepressants at the beginning of pregnancy. Consider the risk of untreated depression when discontinuing or changing treatment with antidepressant medication during pregnancy and the postpartum. Maternal Adverse Reactions Use of paroxetine in the month before delivery may be associated with an increased risk of postpartum hemorrhage [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)].
Fetal/Neonatal adverse reactions Neonates exposed to paroxetine and other SSRIs late in the third trimester have developed complications requiring prolonged hospitalization, respiratory support, and tube feeding. Such complications can arise immediately upon delivery. Reported clinical findings have included respiratory distress, cyanosis, apnea, seizures, temperature instability, feeding difficulty, vomiting, hypoglycemia, hypotonia, hypertonia, hyperreflexia, tremors, jitteriness, irritability, and constant crying.
These findings are consistent with either a direct toxic effect of SSRIs or possibly a drug discontinuation syndrome. It should be noted that, in some cases, the clinical picture is consistent with serotonin syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . Data Human Data Published epidemiological studies on the association between first trimester paroxetine use and cardiovascular malformations have reported inconsistent results; however, meta-analyses of population-based cohort studies published between 1996 – 2017 indicate a less than 2-fold increased risk for overall cardiovascular malformations.
Specific cardiac malformations identified in two meta-analyses include an approximately 2 to 2.5-fold increased risk for right ventricular outflow tract defects. One meta-analysis also identified an increased risk (less than 2-fold) for bulbus cordis anomalies and anomalies of cardiac septal closure, and an increased risk for atrial septal defect (pooled OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.14 to 4.97). Important limitations of the studies included in these meta-analyses include potential confounding by indication, depression severity, and potential exposure misclassification.
Exposure to SSRIs, particularly later in pregnancy, may have an increased risk for PPHN. PPHN occurs in 1 to 2 per 1000 live births in the general population and is associated with substantial neonatal morbidity and mortality. Animal Data Reproduction studies were performed at doses up to 50 mg/kg/day in rats and 6 mg/kg/day in rabbits administered during organogenesis. These doses are approximately 8 (rat) and less than 2 (rabbit) times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD – 60 mg) on an mg/m 2 basis.
These studies have revealed no evidence of developmental effects. However, in rats, there was an increase in pup deaths during the first 4 days of lactation when dosing occurred during the last trimester of gestation and continued throughout lactation. This effect occurred at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day which is less than the MRHD on an mg/m 2 basis. The no effect dose for rat pup mortality was not determined. The cause of these deaths is not known.
