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pregnancy, SSRIs, & prenatals

theLeenietheLeenie
in Trying to Get Pregnant

I have a dr. appt in 2 months, but feel like I need this information sooner, so please lend me your knowledge & experience.

I am on 20mg Lexapro daily. I have tried to wean off of it in trying to prepare myself for pregnancy but feel like I am constantly about to pass out from the dizzy/spacy side effects, so I never quite make it off.

DH and I are ready to start TTC this cycle but we are both very concerned about how lexapro could effect our LO, and all the information I've found online says there is a chance for heart defects and that's it. Some people have stayed on it, some have weaned off before pregnancy, some have weaned off during pregnancy. Thoughts?

Also, I've been taking prenatals for a little over 1 month. I've seen articles online saying to take them 1 year before TTC and then I see 1 month before in another article or blog. Is 1 month enough time to prevent & prepare?

Thanks all!

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Re: pregnancy, SSRIs, & prenatals

  • SuperThat1006SuperThat1006

    You need to talk to your doctor about switching to a different anti-depressant.

    Lexapro is a Class D medication (considered unsafe). You can switch to a Class B medication (Zoloft, Wellbutrin, etc.) and that is considered as safe as you can get during pregnancy (you won't find a medication Class A).

    ETA: Don't try to wean without talking to you doctor. You need to switch gradually.

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  • sourapplemartinisourapplemartini member
    imageChrissieW3:

    Lexapro is a Class D medication (considered unsafe). You can switch to a Class B medication (Zoloft, Wellbutrin, etc.) and that is considered as safe as you can get during pregnancy (you won't find a medication Class A).

    ETA: Don't try to wean without talking to you doctor. You need to switch gradually.

    Actually, this isn't right. You won't find a Class B SSRI. Lexapro is Class C, only a Class D when taken in the 2nd half of pregnancy.

    www.safefetus.com 

    Mrs. 5/03*DD 2/07*DS1 5/09*DS2 7/12
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  • SuperThat1006SuperThat1006
    imagesourapplemartini:
    imageChrissieW3:

    Lexapro is a Class D medication (considered unsafe). You can switch to a Class B medication (Zoloft, Wellbutrin, etc.) and that is considered as safe as you can get during pregnancy (you won't find a medication Class A).

    ETA: Don't try to wean without talking to you doctor. You need to switch gradually.

    Actually, this isn't right. You won't find a Class B SSRI. Lexapro is Class C, only a Class D when taken in the 2nd half of pregnancy.

    www.safefetus.com 

    My doctor told me that Zoloft was Class B, but I could be wrong. Either way, the thing with Zoloft is that there haven't been enough studies with it due to lack of complications.

    My friend was just told by her doctor that Lexapro is Class D.

    So the bottom line in all this is to talk to your doctor. 

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  • Switzerland87Switzerland87 member

    I weaned off Lexapro before TTC. Under NO circumstances should you EVER stop taking or change the dosage of Lexapro or any anti-depressant without doctor supervision!!!!!!!! The withdrawal symptoms that occur even with a doctor's planning and supervision are unpleasant (nausea, vomiting, "icepick" headaches... and that's just what I experienced), but trying to stop taking your meds unsupervised could make things 1000x worse, potentially causing your depression symptoms to come roaring back and even provoke suicidal behaviors. CALL YOUR DOCTOR, AND DON'T STOP TAKING YOUR PILLS -- AT THE PRESCRIBED DOSAGE-- UNTIL YOU DO SO. 

    If your doctor feels that you're ready to be unmedicated altogether, then weaning only takes a few weeks, and doing it properly will be worth the wait. If your doctor feels you still need medication, then as PP said, you can be switched to a safer medication.  

    Good luck, and PM me if you need any support or just someone to talk to through the weaning/med shift process.  

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  • kellyrn9956kellyrn9956 member
    imagesourapplemartini:
    imageChrissieW3:

    Lexapro is a Class D medication (considered unsafe). You can switch to a Class B medication (Zoloft, Wellbutrin, etc.) and that is considered as safe as you can get during pregnancy (you won't find a medication Class A).

    ETA: Don't try to wean without talking to you doctor. You need to switch gradually.

    Actually, this isn't right. You won't find a Class B SSRI. Lexapro is Class C, only a Class D when taken in the 2nd half of pregnancy.

    www.safefetus.com 

    Not true.

    Celexa, Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft are all class B according to the Mosby Nursing Drug Reference book. Many women require these drugs during pregnancy, and although the risk of birth defects exists, it is rare with these drugs, and the doctor must weigh the need for the drug with the fetal risk.

    Started TTC 2/2009
    Started fertility treatments 11/2010
    Ovarian dysfunction, LPD, male factor
    6 failed medicated IUI's
    Pregnant 5/2011 - Miscarriage at 6 weeks due to triploidy
    Decided to adopt - 6/2012
    SURPRISE! Pregnant without intervention - 7/2012 
    Sweet Baby James Born 3/2013
    Decided to be "One and Done"

    ....OR NOT.
    Pregnant 12/2018 despite birth control pills
    Here we go again...
    Due 8/26/19!
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