FDA orders new warnings for antidepressants

The FDA will require makers of antidepressant drugs called serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to include new warning labels for two possible side effects. Specifically, babies born to mothers who used the antidepressants while pregnant can suffer from a lung disorder called persistent pulmonary hypertension, a rare but serious side effect that is especially common in babies whose mothers take the drugs in the last half of pregnancy. The new labels will also warn patients of possible drug interactions between antidepressants and triptans, a class of drugs commonly used to treat migraines. Taking and SSRI and a triptian can result in serotonin syndrome, a condition that can be life threatening. SSRIs include Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil and Lexapro.

- check out the AP report [1] for more