Antidepressant medications, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), are widely prescribed for major depression. Recently, information from patients reports and observational studies have linked the use of antidepressants drugs with an increased risk of birth defects when these medications are used by the mother during pregnancy.
Effexor birth defects and SSRI drug side effects may include: anal atresia, atrial septal defect (hole in the heart), clubfoot, coarctation of the aorta (COA), craniosynostosis, double aortic arch, double inlet left ventricle, double outlet right ventricle, esophageal stenosis, gastrochesis, heart murmur, hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), hypoplastic right heart syndrome (HRHS), omphalcele, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), pulmonary atresia, pulmonary stenosis, spina bifida, tetralogy of fallot (TOF), transposition of the great arteries (TGA), transposition of the great vessels (TGV), tricuspic atresia, truncus arteriosus, valve problems and ventricular septal defect.
The following antidepressant medications have been associated with an increased risk of birth defects when used during pregnancy:
LEXAPRO
