Doctor Visit

jacqueleen1

So I spoke with my doctor regarding some of the medications I am on and whether I will need to stop taking them once I am pregnant (trazodone and lexapro). The answer I got was there's no research saying they are safe during human pregnancy but there's no research that says it's unsafe. That's it. She just wouldn't tell me yes or no. I am thinking no research is not enough of a garantee for my future baby to be safe. What do you guys think should I seek a second opinion ?

getnauti

I don't know much about those specific drugs but if it were me, I'd err on the side of caution and not take them. 

beepity

The reason there is no research saying they are certainly safe it that it's unethical to do that type of study. Drug companies can't give pregnant women a drug and then monitor its effect on the fetus. What type of doctor did you speak with? Was it the physician who prescribed them for you? The benefit/risk ratio is different for every patient.

brody624

My sister was on lexapro and was advised by her dr to stop taking it while ttc and while she was pregnant. She did find a natural alternative that she took for a while. I can see if she remember what it was and get back with you.

proudtobeazebra

I used to be on Lexapro and I'm currently on Trazadone. @beepity is absolutely correct, there's a risk/benefit ratio for everyone. I'm involving everyone on my treatment team (psychiatrist, OB/GYN, PCP, etc) to help me make those decisions when the time comes. I have pretty severe anxiety/depression, so it may be better for me to stay on them rather than go into a severely depressed state. 

I don't think any doctor will definitively say those types of drugs are safe vs. unsafe. I would encourage you to involve your entire treatment team and significant other in making those types of decisions - unfortunately there's no clear cut answer. Good luck, and feel free to PM me if you ever need to talk.  

eevieemariee

Limbo sucks. FX for good news. T & P until then!

jacqueleen1

Thanks ladies. I will take this to my obgyn. The doctor I spoke with was my pcp. I am on the lexapro for anxiety depression and a very high dose of the trazodone for sleep. If I went with the risk benefit I just feel like I couldn't risk a pregnancy so I could have a good night's sleep. The lexapro I will have to learn about further. @brody624‌ let me know if you can find out!

brody624

I just texted her and she is going to see if she can remember what it is - after taking the alternative pills for a while she eventually weeks herself off completely. I'll let you know @JacqueleenF‌

KingLED

Nix0318 said:

Limbo sucks. FX for good news. T & P until then!

Did you get lost? 

PuppyLove84

I'll echo PP and say it's dependent on the patient and the medicines.  There aren't any real clinical trials addressing this because, like @beepity says, it would be unethical to do them on pregnant women.  Retrospective studies have been mixed; some have found increased risks to the fetus, some haven't.  I think it's important to consider why you take the meds and what might happen if you went off them.  Our current plan is to lower my dose once I get pregnant and see how I do, but I don't want to come completely off them.  Every time I try, I sink back into deep depression within a few months, and I am a danger to myself in that state.  Also, be careful with supplements (even "natural" ones; cocaine can be natural!) because most of them are not FDA approved so they don't have to pass any safety tests.  GL!

kelley72

I went off lexapro and another medication prior ttc... for me the risks weren't worth it. You've been given excellent information regarding risk vs reward, I hope you read up and best wishes!

nittanyllama

Your OB might be a better one to ask. I weaned off of lexapro to TTC and I'm questioning if it was the right move. Also, if you need help sleeping I believe unisom is considered safe for pregnancy -- my OB even directed me to take it for morning sickness.

lebradford

I was on sertraline and trazedone before TTC and my general practitioner (who was prescribing them) wanted me to get off them before TTC, so I did. However, I think it depends on your situation. If you'd be pretty good without them, then it might be better to get off. If you would be a mess without them, then it might not be worth it.

mangomimosa

Anxiety/depression and stress in pregnancy are risk factors for poor fetal growth & preterm labor & birth. Researchers in this area have shown high levels of stress are as big of a deal as smoking in pregnancy. So mood and mental health are **very** important to manage when pregnant. Going off medications, unless you have good symptom control from non-pharm coping strategies, can be more risky than staying on them.

Most OB/Gyns are big fans of sertraline (Zoloft) in pregnancy. It's category C, but widely used in pregnancy and preferred over the other SSRI's for that reason. It may be fine to stay on Lexapro but you'd have to talk to your OB. A PCP is definitely not the right person to ask. It's all about risk/benefit. I once sat in on a consultation with a high-risk OB who was doing preconception counseling for a fellow MD. The MD who wanted to become pregnant was on Effexor (a SNRI), which is even less well studied than the SSRI's, and the high-risk OB leading the consult went through all the potential risks from animal studies and together they decided it was ok for her to stay on Effexor while TTC/pregnant. Again -- it's about weighing the costs/benefits in YOUR particular situation. A knee-jerk response of "OMG NO MEDICATION IN PREGNANCY" is not the right answer for everyone.

Sorry, IDK about Trazodone....but Zoloft taken at night might help you fall asleep (IIRC).

myatala

If you're currently being prescribed those meds by your PCP, honestly I would seek the opinion of a psychiatrist or ARNP who specializes in psych meds. My OB would prefer no psych meds during pregnancy but I've worked with my ARNP to cut down to the two most important psych meds for me and a lower dose of the one that's associated with increased risk of cleft palate (we discussed the statistics and Husband and I made the decision together to continue with a reduced dose of that medication).

mommy2C

I agree with @myatala‌. I would speak with a Psychiatrist. I have been referred by my PCP to speak to a Psychiatrist regarding what meds are "safe" to take in pregnancy. While no psych med is without risk some will be a bigger risk than others and a Psychiatrist has the specialized knowledge to properly advise you.