Zoloft and Pregnancy

Zoloft and Pregnancy


With so many people taking Zoloft, there is bound to be some people who take Zoloft and become pregnant.  This is why it is important to understand the impact of Zoloft and pregnancy and to find out what happens when a person takes Zoloft during pregnancy.

Zoloft is considered pregnancy category C, meaning that it has not been studied well enough in pregnancy to say whether or not it is dangerous in pregnancy and should only be used if the benefits outweigh the risks of taking the drug.  Since this Zoloft pregnancy category was established, however, it has been discovered that Zoloft can cause problems in the fetus if taken during the last three months of pregnancy as well as during the first three months of pregnancy.  There are concerns also with taking Zoloft and breast feeding.

There have been cases of neonatal withdrawal symptoms after the mother takes Zoloft during pregnancy.  The newborn can develop problems with agitation, poor feeding, restlessness, constant crying, enhanced startle reflex and insomnia.  One study revealed that 30 percent of infants taking serotonin reuptake inhibitors in utero developed some type of neonatal abstinence syndrome after birth.  The syndrome is identified by sleep problems, GI problems, tremor, hypertonic muscles and a high pitched cry.  They need to be monitored closely for at least 48 hours following their birth.

Animal studies have shown no risk of birth defects; however, birth defects have recently been discovered after taking Zoloft in the first trimester.  Zoloft birth defects include spina bifida, cleft lip, cleft palate and other structural defects.  Heart defects have also been noted as being Zoloft birth defects.  In animals, there has been noted decreased pup survival when the mother was exposed to up to four times the traditional human dosage of Zoloft.

Human infants exposed to third trimester Zoloft have also been noted to require a longer hospitalization than those who were not exposed.  This included prolonged tube feeding and prolonged respiratory support.  There can be immediate side effects, including cyanosis, respiratory distress, seizures, apnea, temperature instability, vomiting, hypoglycemia, feeding problems, low muscle tone, elevated reflexes, crying constantly, irritability and jittery behavior.  Some doctors believe these symptoms are due to toxicity from the medication while others think they are directly due to withdrawal from the medication.
In addition, some kids can develop PPHN or persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn if exposed to Zoloft and pregnancy in the late stages of the pregnancy.  Infants can die from this disease.

 

Zoloft and Breastfeeding

Zoloft and PregnancyInfants who breastfeed with mothers taking Zoloft are not known to have any adverse effects.  Nevertheless, the benefits of taking the drug must outweigh the risks. The Zoloft is, in fact, excreted in the breast milk but doesn’t seem to have any effect on the breastfeeding infant.  Only small studies on Zoloft and pregancy have been undertaken however.   It is best to ask your doctor about taking Zoloft before breast feeding and taking the medication at the same time.

Zoloft side effects in women who are pregnant are about the same as with women who are not pregnant.  These include nausea in up to 30 percent of women taking the medication, insomnia in up to 28 percent, anorgasmia (a lack of ability to have an orgasm), diarrhea or loose stools in up to 24 percent, dizziness in around 17 percent, fatigue or dry mouth in up to 16 percent, indigestion in around 13 percent, tiredness in around 15 percent, tremor or shakiness in around 11 percent, and loss of appetite or loss of sex drive in up to 11 percent.

Zoloft side effects in pregnancy that are less common but still occur at rates greater than two percent include increased burning or tingling sensations in the extremities, pain in the joints or extremities, increased sweating, migraine or other types of headache, abdominal pain, weight loss or weight gain, constipation, hot flashes, vision changes or nervousness.

So does Zoloft and pregnancy go together?  With recent evidence that Zoloft causes birth defects and with recent Zoloft birth defects lawsuits, it is probably not a good idea to take Zoloft at any point in pregnancy.  The evidence for birth defects in babies born to mothers who have taken Zoloft is new and is just emerging.  We don’t know the rates of such birth defects and we don’t know how severe these birth defects can be.  Unless Zoloft is necessary for the life of the mother and infant together due to severe depression and suicidality, it probably shouldn’t be taken.  Fortunately, the hormones of pregnancy are relatively protective against severe depression so that Zoloft can be safely tapered off and stopped early in pregnancy in many women without difficulty.

 

[Post: http://www.zoloftsideeffects1.com/zoloft-and-pregnancy/]

Zoloft and Pregnancy | Zoloft Side Effects in Women | Zoloft and Breastfeeding | Zoloft Birth Defects | Zoloft Pregnancy Category

Incoming search terms: