Taking antidepressants during pregnancy could affect fetal brain development, a new study has found. As per researchers, the use of antidepressants, particularly fluoxetine, could affect the development of the prefrontal cortex of the infant's brain, potentially raising the risk of mental health disorders later in their life.
Fluoxetine, available under the brand names Prozac and Sarafem, is an antidepressant prescribed for various conditions, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, bulimia, binge-eating disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and bipolar depression. The drug works by enhancing serotonin levels in the brain, a naturally occurring mood stabilizer whose deficiency is linked to mental health disorders.
