December 2015 Moms

Anyone on Zoloft or Effexor?

I've been on Effexor for about 2 years now and know by experience the difficulty I would have coming off and being off of it. The doc said he really wasn't worried about it, but that Zoloft has more of a record of being a safe drug to take during pregnancy.

Does anyone have experience with this? Going through the same thing? Suggestions?

Re: Anyone on Zoloft or Effexor?

  • I'm on celexa for depression and anxiety
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  • I am currently on Zoloft. This is our third pregnancy in 7 months and after the last loss, needed some support. I don't know if I could go off of Zoloft with this pregnancy. I am not as stressed, anxious, depressed and worried as I was last pregnancy. I feel I might actually be able to enjoy this pregnancy and I think a lot of that has to do with the meds. Hope this helps!
  • I'm on Zoloft as well. I was switched from Lexapro because Zoloft is safer. It still makes me a little uneasy to be on a medication while pregnant. I just want a healthy baby. But doc knows best I suppose.
  • I'm on Zoloft as well, and will probably stay on it throughout the pregnancy. I've also had difficulty with weaning from the drug as well as being off the drug. My OB and I decided there is more benefit for the baby and myself to continue to take the Zoloft, compared to the risks if I was dealing with depression.
  • I was on zoloft and ativan and stopped taking both. Zoloft is class c. I decided to see how I would be off it completely. There are other drugs for depression and anxiety that are better classes. I definately suggest working with a psychiatrist as they are much for familiar with the drugs and alternatives. Regardless anxiety and depression meds should not be messed with unsupervised.
  • I am on cymbalta which is also class c. My OB told me it's probably safer to stay on it than try to wean off right now. I'd follow the advice of your doctor!
  • I may try a lower dosage. My psychiatrist referred me to the OB for advice on the issue so I'm gonna go with what he says.
  • My gyno said the Zoloft is the safest med, and that it's so much safer to take it if you need it than have anxiety and depression (since that can negatively affect the fetus).
  • SeleynaSeleyna member
    I'm on Zoloft also. I've been on it since DS was born back in August. I've always fought my depression, but the PPD was agonizing. I don't know if I would be able to go off of it either, like @bepatsches said, I'm not as stressed or anxious or as worried. I'm also slightly less of a raging bitch than I was last time. This time I'm just extra tired from my 9-month old.
    Became Stepmomma to the world's best little boy, Marcus, on November 1, 2009!
    BFP On December 7, 2013! Due August 8, 2014!
    Reese made his arrival on August 13, 2014 after 42 hours of labor!



    BFP on April 2, 2015, estimated due date is December 6, 2015!
    Teryn made his arrival on December 6, 2015 after only 15 short hours of labor!

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker


  • I usually take welbutrin & celexa. I tried to wean off celexa the month before I got pregnant and it was horrendous ... So I am now taking Zoloft & Welbutrin. The Welbutrin will stop very soon & Zoloft will remain ... Works great for me :)
  • noel35noel35 member
    Hi ladies,
    I was diagnosed with acute bipolar as a teenager. I'm now 35. Ive been stable because I've been taking Effexor for many years. I'm also on Lamictal. I was able to have my meds reduced to the possible lowest dosage before getting pregnant. I've been praying that my developing baby is growing well and isn't born with any abnormalities. I guess there's no guarantee. I just know that I need these meds to function. The unknown is a little scary, but I need to trust that all is well. I hope and pray that all of you have healthy babies as well.
  • noel35 said:

    Hi ladies,
    I was diagnosed with acute bipolar as a teenager. I'm now 35. Ive been stable because I've been taking Effexor for many years. I'm also on Lamictal. I was able to have my meds reduced to the possible lowest dosage before getting pregnant. I've been praying that my developing baby is growing well and isn't born with any abnormalities. I guess there's no guarantee. I just know that I need these meds to function. The unknown is a little scary, but I need to trust that all is well. I hope and pray that all of you have healthy babies as well.

    I wish you the best of luck :) I can certainly relate. I'm diagnosed bipolar as well and Effexor has literally been a lifesaver.
  • I was taking 50 mg of Zoloft daily but I discontinued it prior to getting pregnant. I felt really anxious for the first two weeks but now 2 months later, Im feeling back to normal. I think this pregnancy is actually helping to combat my anxiety. I feel great!
    That being said, I will definitely restart the zoloft after I am done breastfeeding.
    It really helps control my anxiety.
  • I am on zoloft and have cut my prescription in half. I have my first OB appt in 18 days, and I'll check in again with both docs. Psychiatrist says zoloft is safe to be on, but she wants to see if I can totally be off for 3rd trimester. I would rather be on a low dose, since I'm an anxious person and it would keep my anxiety at bay.
  • brbeck7brbeck7 member
    I've been on effexor for 6 years. 150mg. After I found out I was pregnant last time I was concerned about taking the medication. Unfortunately we miscarried so I don't have any news to report but this time my dr. Suggested cutting back SLOWLY on the medication because I expressed genuine concern for my babies health. I had been taking 150mg once daily then now to 75mg twice daily. Our next planned step is going to just 75mg once daily and continue from there to hopefully be off of it my 3rd trimester. And be able to switch. Going off completely is NOT an option for me since I have a long history with depression. But my doctor wants both baby and I to be healthy so we are weighing all options. The only real threat is in the 3rd trimester so just keep open communication with your dr. and take care of yourself. Try sunlight and eating right and exercise. Also therapy could be another option until after baby is born and you get back on if you chose to go off.
  • noel35noel35 member
    I'm taking 75mg of Effexor right now. I saw on the bottle that there is a warning about third trimester..I've never seen this until more recent. Sounds like I might be looking into getting off of it last trimester too.
  • I'm on zoloft for panic disorder. Doctor said any risks are completely outweighed by benefits in my case.
  • Sounds like a good idea to try to wean off for the 3rd trimester. Coming off of Effexor is just hell, though, and I haven't been off of it since starting it for long enough to know how it affects me. Gotta say I'm super nervous about all of this.
  • I'm on effexor. My OB didn't seem worried at all that I was on it, but I'm on a fairly low dose, 75mg once a day. I do have an appointment with my regular doctor and will discuss with him about weaning off, but if he advises me otherwise I'll just go with the flow!
  • I was taking Zoloft, along with and anxiety medication, but I was told by my doctor to stop taking them due to the fact that they're class c. She said if I couldn't be off of the medication then she would try to find one that was much safer.
  • I was on zoloft 50 MG when I found out I was pregnant. My doctor advised me to cut down to half a pill a day for a week and then a half every other day for another week, when it was time to come off though about a week into not having it I started feeling just odd so about once a week would take a half just to keep a little in my system to satisfy my brains craving for it lol its been a little over 2 weeks without it now and I'm hoping I have overcome the odd feelings that go along with stopping the medication. My ob said she was fine with me getting back on it once I'm into my 2nd timesters but if I can I'm going to try and hold out until after delivery! Good luck ladies!
  • My advice is to work with a psychiatrist and your ob. Psychiatrists are experts in their field.
    ok off soap box
  • I was taking Prozac when I got pregnant and me and my dr decided to keep me on it until the end of my 2nd trimester. It makes me really nervous because I don't want it to hurt the baby in any way.... But the risks of my depression outweighed the risks associated with taking it during pregnancy
  • I was taking Paxil when I got pregnant and my doctor switched me to Zoloft as she said it was safer during pregnancy. It's only 50 mg and baby is doing great and I feel like I did when I was taking my Paxil. No anxiety. Having a baby alone is enough anxiety as it is, if your doctor says it's ok and it helps you why not take it!
  • krick43krick43 member
    edited June 2015
    I everyone, I am not on those medications but I just read a really refreshing blog post about this yesterday by Erin Gates (Elements of Style) and I think some of you may be interested to hear her experience! The link is below :)

  • I was in Effexor xr for years. When we started trying for a baby I decided to stop taking it. The withdrawal from that medication is horrible! If you are going to stop taking it give yourself several weeks to step down gradually. They do make tablet forms so you can break them apart. I was breaking 25mg into fourths for a few weeks. I felt like an addict. I'm not sure about the third trimester and the side effects for baby but I just thought I could give you a little warning about weaning off of it! Good luck!!
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