Anyone taken Seroxat (Paroxetine/Paxil) in Pregnancy?

Question

Has anyone take this antidepressant in pregnancy and has anyone had any really bad experiences?

I've been on it for several years and when I found out I was pregnant went straight to my doctor. He told me to continue with my regular dose (40mg) as "the benefits outweighed the risks" to the baby and lots of women apparently take this drug in pregnancy and have healthy babies.

I started reading all sorts of horrible stories about Paroxetine in pregnancy and decided I wanted to come off it, so with my doctor's agreement I started cutting down my dose gradually. However, the withdrawal effects kicked in and I just couldn't cope. so they put me back up to 20 mg daily.

Now I'm really worried for my baby. Both my GP and my Ob/Gyn Consultant are unworried and say the only effects are a chance he might have a reaction after birth and have to stay in SCBU for a few days (and I really don't want that for him! No mother does!) But the internet suggests all sorts of awful effects.

Answer 1

Hun, one of the positives is that you will be able to cope with post partum a lot easier. If you have been on it for years its not a problem so stop worrying. If you were to start it when you are pregnant or just before you got pregnant then there would be problems because your body has to adjust to it as would the baby. Everything will be fine.

Good Luck.

Answer 2

I've not been pregnant on Paxil but I would do as both your doctors suggest. The warnings on the label and on the internet are the same as the warnings for pregnant women and smoking. Yeah, it's probably best not to smoke while your pregnant, but you could. Anyway, your benefits really do outway the risk in this case. Stay happy and healthy. Get check ups often and talk with your doctors about the baby. Everything should be fine.
Or if your still not satisfied and don't trust your doctors you could get a third opinion from another doctor. Good luck!

Answer 3

Seroxat Pregnancy

Answer 4

Hi, ok the first thing you need to do is stop worrying, that will be worse for the baby.
My friend was on antidepressants throughout her pregnancy, she now has a beautiful healthy girl.
She couldnt breastfeed though, they told her not to while she was still taking her medication.
Once she had had her baby, she enjoys her so much, it helped bring her out of her depression, and no longer needs to take anything for it.
Children are wonderful, I never stop laughing.

Answer 5

i was also taking seroxat during my pregnancy and like you was worried what effect it would have on my baby, i gradually came down on the dosage i was having by one pill a month and although it got a bit hairy at points with the withdrawl i did manage to reduce the amount i was taking before my son was born. I was still on seroxat when i had my beautiful wee boy and he is absolutely fine, hope this reasures you a bit.

Answer 6

I wouldn't go anywhere near Seroxat pregnant or not, I was given it by the doctors years ago and it almost killed me. I'd hate to think of the damage it would do to an unborn child.

Answer 7

If you need it then take it, the docs wont give you anything thats unsafe for baby, although saying that seroxat is a nasty a.d. I was on that and thanks to it i got worse and almost killed myself. Id advise changing a.d rather than giving it up.

Check out seroxat in the news on websites.

Good luck and trust your doctors

Answer 8

I wouldn't want to be taking that kind of stuff while I was pregnant. I stopped taking ALL my meds while pregnant. Paxil is a bad bad drug.

Answer 9

get a second opinion

Answer 10

don't indulge in it