Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Medindia
Advertisement

Northwestern Medicine Launches Landmark Study into Effects of Common Antidepressants on Pregnant Women

Thursday, September 8, 2016 Women Health News
Advertisement
First systematic study of genetic, clinical profiles of pregnant women on antidepressants

CHICAGO, Sept. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women's Hospital and the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry is home to a landmark study that will, for the first time, take a close look at the impact of certain common antidepressants on pregnant women.
Advertisement

Called Optimizing Medication Management for Mothers With Depression, or OPTI-MOM, the Northwestern Medicine study is enrolling up to 200 women to systemically look at genetic and clinical profiles of those who take antidepressants during pregnancy.
Advertisement

Led by internationally known perinatal depression researcher Katherine L.  Wisner, MD, MS, director of the Asher Center for the Study and Treatment of Depressive Disorders at Feinberg, the study ultimately hopes to provide accurate treatment guidelines for practitioners working with pregnant women, or those women hoping to become pregnant, who are treated with antidepressants.

"What we know is that women who are taking antidepressants across pregnancy typically do well at the beginning, but the medication stops working as effectively halfway through," said Dr. Wisner. "It makes sense that the physical changes of pregnancy would affect the dose requirements, but the majority of physicians are not aware of the need for dosage adjustments. Without an accurate picture of changes across pregnancy, they are unable to appropriately counsel their patients on how to manage their depression during pregnancy."

Researchers hope that with OPTI-MOM they can establish a base set of guidelines for practitioners to help guide patients on antidepressants throughout their pregnancy. In the study, they will analyze plasma levels monthly as well as spinal fluid that will be collected if the patient receives a spinal-epidural during her delivery.

In order to participate in OPTI-MOM, women must be at least 18 years old, less than 18 weeks pregnant, speak English or Spanish, and have a diagnosis of depression. Women must also be taking sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) or escitalopram (Lexapro) prior to enrolling in the study, and be planning on taking it during and after pregnancy.

Participants will agree to monthly blood draws and a monthly assessment of mood and medication side effects.

OPTI-MOM is sponsored by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Northwestern is one of three sites nationally studying the impact of common drugs on pregnancy through the institute.

For more information, or to participate in OPTI-MOM, visit http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/asher-center/research/current-studies/OPTI-MOM.html.

For more information about Northwestern Medicine, visit news.nm.org/about-northwestern-medicine.html.

 

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/northwestern-medicine-launches-landmark-study-into-effects-of-common-antidepressants-on-pregnant-women-300324103.html

SOURCE Northwestern Medicine

Sponsored Post and Backlink Submission


Latest Press Release on Women Health News

This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close