Comparison of the groups treated with mirtazapine and selective serotonine reuptake inhibitors with respect to birth outcomes and severity of psychiatric disorder

ABSTRACT Objective: The literature provides very limited information on mirtazapine usage in the pregnancy period. The groups including pregnant women who used SSRI or mirtazapine as a single treatment, SSRI–mirtazapine combination treatment and unmedicated groups were compared with respect to illness severity and birth outcomes. Method: The study sample included 120 pregnant women; 40 women with SSRI usage, 16 women with mirtazapine usage, 18 women with combined SSRI- mirtazapine usage, 23 women with unmedicated psychiatric disorder and who elected not to take medication during their pregnancy or discontinued antidepressants by themselves, and 23 healthy control women. Results: No difference was obtained with regard to the gestation week of birth, birth weight, the duration of stay in the neonatal care unit among the SSRI, mirtazapine, SSRI–mirtazapine combination, unmedicated patient and control groups. The likelihood of a new diagnosis was highest in the mirtazapine group. The majority of pregnant women whose psychiatric disorders were more severe and more relapsed used SSRI–mirtazapine combination treatment. Conclusion: No difference was observed between the SSRI and mirtazapine usage in the pregnancy period with regard to the birth outcomes. Similar birth outcomes could present clinicians with the option of prescribing mirtazapine as a safe alternative to SSRI in the treatment of antenatal psychiatric patients.