Heart Birth Defects
A known Prozac® side effect is heart defects in newborns. There have been studies and evidence showing that taking antidepressant drugs such as Prozac® (also known as Fluoxetine) can lead to heart defects in newborns. Here are a few known heart defects associated with taking Prozac® during pregnancy:
Prozac and Septal Defect
A septal defect is a hole in the wall of the heart, causing improper blood circulation. This forces the heart to work harder than it should to pump blood. Patients may require open-heart surgery. A study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology (07/11), found that use of fluoxetine while pregnant was associated with an increased risk of isolated ventricular septal defects.
Prozac and Coarction of the aorta
Coarction of the aorta occurs when the aorta is too narrow, causing uneven blood flow throughout the body. This may require medical intervention and/or surgery.
Prozac and Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome occurs when the left side of the infant’s heart does not develop completely, sometimes resulting in sudden death. Patients may undergo a heart transplant.
A study performed in the Netherlands in 2009 showed that there was a 4 fold increase in septal defects in women who took more than one antidepresent during the first trimester of pregnancy:
What this study adds
Sertraline and citalopram were associated with an increased prevalence of septal heart defects
Use of more than one type of SSRI during the first trimester was associated with a fourfold increase in prevalence of septal heart defects
