F.D.A. Panel Debates ‘Black Box’ Warning for Antidepressants in Pregnancy
The New York TimesMonday, July 21, 2025 at 10:23:23 PM
The FDA is wrestling with whether to slap a serious "black box" warning on antidepressants for pregnant women. Some experts at their recent forum sounded alarms about potential risks to fetuses, while others pushed back hard, arguing these meds are both safe and often crucial for moms-to-be battling depression.
Editor’s Note: This isn’t just bureaucratic noise—it’s a high-stakes clash over how to balance mental health needs against potential pregnancy risks. Millions of women take these drugs, and a black box warning (the FDA’s sternest label) could scare many off them, even if their doctors believe the benefits outweigh the risks. The debate reflects bigger tensions in medicine: how much weight to give activist concerns versus clinical evidence, and who gets to decide what’s "safe enough."
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