Jennifer Payne, MD
Jennifer Payne, MD, a professor in the UVA Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences and expert in reproductive psychiatry, talked with The Associated Press and was featured in more than 100 major media outlets nationally discussing antidepressant use by pregnant women.
The Food and Drug Administration is considering a petition for new warnings on antidepressants regarding potential pregnancy risks that have not been definitively established, according to The Associated Press. Experts say this is based on weak evidence, including animal research and small human studies, and warn that an FDA alert could prompt pregnant women to stop treatment unnecessarily, risking harm from untreated depression.
“A black box warning is a big red flag with both practitioners and patients,” said Dr. Payne. “What’s missing in this petition is an understanding of the risks of maternal mental illness during pregnancy, not just to the woman, but to the pregnancy and ultimately the infant.”
Read full article at the Associated Press.
Filed Under: Media Highlights