Paroxetine...

[raspberryjo]

Found out last week I was around 4/5 weeks pregnant, and literally the week previous had started taking paroxetine for anxiety. Only half a tablet a day. But read this can cause defects in a fetal development and panicking now!

Bless you and congratulations also.
Don't have any first hand knowledge I'm afraid so just a hand hold i'm afraid. Had a wee mooch for you which I know you've done already. It looks as if the percentage is extremely low so wouldn't panic just yet! It appears that if a defect does occur it will be focused on the heart and you can find this out around 20 week scan, but again, it is so minimal the risk. In my first trimester I've eaten cured meats forgetting all about the transmission of toxoplasmosis. I've read that the risk is quite small so not worrying about it.
Here you go...Sorry if you've read this already:

Can taking paroxetine during my pregnancy cause birth defects?

Several studies have suggested that exposure to paroxetine may be associated with a small increased chance for heart defects. In the general population, the background risk for heart defects is one percent (1%). These studies showed that paroxetine use during the first trimester of pregnancy might increase this chance to two percent (2%). It has been suggested that because infants exposed to paroxetine are followed more closely at birth, mild heart defects that might otherwise not be discovered are found. There have also been studies that have not supported the association between paroxetine and heart defects. Currently, the information is uncertain, but if there is a risk it is likely to be small. Women who take paroxetine during the first trimester can consider asking their health care provider for a fetal echocardiogram (ultrasound of the baby’s heart) around 20 to 22 weeks of pregnancy. Most studies have not found paroxetine to be associated with birth defects other than heart defects.

Hi congratulations firstly.

Ideally no medication is best in pregnacy but paroxitine has minimal risk. It's one of the safer tablets to take for anxiety when pregnant.

I was on venlafaxine ( which is a big no in my doctors opinion) she moved me to fluoxitine as we where trying to fall pregnant. I am now 6 weeks pregnant and will need to move into paroxitine towards the end of the pregnacy as this is the safest medication to be using when breastfeeding- again so my doctors says.

Don't stress a well mum is better than anything. Go to your doctor and be led by them they are so helpful and supportive.

Good luck

@raspberryjo you're probably completely ok, but in your shoes I would speak to your doctor ASAP to check & to put your mind at rest. Good luck!

Thank you all for your responses. Looks as though I can probably stop panicking but will talk to my doctor anyway just to put my mind at rest! Thank you 😊 x

I was on Paroxetine for 26 years. Am 14 weeks pregnant and stopped it cold turkey 10 weeks ago cos it's unsafe in pregnancy, my Dr and midwife told me it is the most unsafe antidepressant in pregnancy. I was told it was safe to take 17 years ago during my first pregnancy. My son was born with heart defects, breathing problems and is autistic. So I'm avoiding antidepressants this time, even though my mental health is struggling, I'd rather not risk the baby