Statement Regarding the use of SSRIs during Pregnancy

We, the psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners at Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates (RPA), would like to express our grave disappointment and concern with many of the recent viewpoints shared by FDA panelists regarding SSRI use during pregnancy.

We stand with the American Psychiatric Association, Postpartum Support International, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and childbearing individuals on this matter. We strongly advise all patients to speak directly with their prescribers regarding any concerns and NOT to change medication doses or regimens without consulting with their prescribers. We believe in and promote adequate mental health treatment for all individuals in all stages of life, including childbearing.

Many of the FDA panelists utilized opinion and bias to rouse fear regarding use of these medications during pregnancy. It should be noted that 9 out of 10 panelists have conflicts of interest that were not disclosed (such as being paid witnesses in litigation involving antidepressants, running media platforms rooted in SSRI skepticism, having published research pointing to the drugs’ potential risks in developing babies). It should also be noted that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that mental health conditions were the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States in 2020.

Respected expert groups, who base recommendations upon data and evidence, have responded to the message portrayed by this FDA panel. Some of these are highlighted below:

1.   The American Psychiatric Association – “The overall evidence suggests that individuals can and should take SSRIs prior to or during pregnancy, when they are clinically indicated for treatment.” You can read the entire statement here: https://www.psychiatry.org/getattachment/dd143827-be33-42ab-8f48-69b9dff5dff8/APA-Letter-FDA-Panel-SSRIs-Pregnancy-07252025.pdf

2.   Postpartum Support International – “Research and clinical experience have shown that [perinatal mental health disorders] can be successfully treated, and SSRIs are a vital part of a comprehensive mental health treatment plan. Extensive data from more than 30 years of research support the use of SSRIs in pregnancy. All nationally recognized maternal mental health organizations agree that a woman’s physical and mental well-being during pregnancy is the most important factor in the health of the woman, her child, and her family. Antidepressants, including SSRIs, are in fact the most studied class of medication used during pregnancy.”  You can read the entire statement here: https://postpartum.net/fda-panel-discussion-regarding-ssri-in-pregnancy/

3.   The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists – “For pregnant people who need SSRIs, they are life-changing and lifesaving. Mental health conditions are already the most frequent cause of pregnancy-related death. Unfortunately, the many outlandish and unfounded claims made by the panelists regarding SSRIs will only serve to incite fear and cause patients to come to false conclusions that could prevent them from getting the treatment they need.”

For those curious, the FDA panel meeting can be found here: https://www.fda.gov/patients/fda-expert-panels/fda-expert-panel-selective-serotonin-reuptake-inhibitors-ssris-and-pregnancy-07212025

Sincerely,

RPA Prescribers