Can you take prozac when pregnant

A number of studies have been carried out to look at whether there is an increased risk of learning and behavioural problems including autism spectrum disorder ASD and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD in children who were exposed to fluoxetine and other SSRIs while in the womb.

None of the four studies that specifically examined children of women who took fluoxetine during pregnancy showed an increased risk of learning and behavioural problems. However, because only a small number of children were studied, and because the children were only assessed up to a maximum of six years of age, it is not yet possible to say for certain that fluoxetine does not affect learning or behaviour.

Many more studies have looked at the development, behaviour, and learning of groups of children whose mothers took any of the SSRIs during pregnancy. These studies are summarised below:.

Six of these studies found that the chance of having a child with ASD was increased, with some suggesting that ASD rates are approximately doubled in children exposed in the womb to an SSRI, compared to unexposed children. It is important to remember that around one in every children develop ASD, regardless of whether their mother took any medicines in pregnancy.

Further research into this subject is, however, required. While four of these studies showed no clear differences, two studies did see some differences. However, studies of learning and thinking skills in children are very difficult to carry out and may not produce reliable results if too few children are studied. More research is needed before we can say whether children exposed to SSRIs in the womb may be more likely to have problems with learning and thinking skills. Nine of these studies showed that the motor development of children whose mothers had taken SSRIs during pregnancy was slightly poorer.

However, in many of these studies, the children were only observed for the first few weeks of life, so we do not know whether any differences remain as the children get older. More research is required into motor development in children whose mothers were taking SSRIs during pregnancy.

Scientific studies have also suggested that having untreated depression during pregnancy may increase the risk of learning and behavioural problems, including ASD and lower IQ in the child. This is thought to be a result of the effects that depression may have on how a mother is able to interact with her baby. Most women will be offered a scan at around 20 weeks of pregnancy to look for birth defects as part of their routine antenatal care. Taking fluoxetine in pregnancy would not normally require extra monitoring of your baby.

We would not expect any increased risk to your baby if its father took fluoxetine before, or at around the time you became pregnant. If you have any questions regarding the information in this leaflet please discuss them with your health care provider.

They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www. Do you have 3 minutes to complete a short, quick and simple 12 question user feedback form about our bumps information leaflets? To have your say on how we can improve our website and the information we provide please visit here. Up to 1 out of every 5 pregnancies ends in a miscarriage, and 1 in 40 babies are born with a birth defect. These are referred to as the background population risks.

Most medicines used by the mother will cross the placenta and reach the baby. Sometimes this may have beneficial effects for the baby. New CDC study findings refute some earlier reported links but confirm other links observed between birth defects and some selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs , which are medications used to treat depression and other mental health conditions.

Researchers found that some birth defects occur about two or three times more frequently among babies born to women who took certain types of SSRI medications early in pregnancy. This analysis can help guide healthcare providers and women to the safest options to appropriately treat depression or other mental health conditions during pregnancy while minimizing the risk of major birth defects in the developing baby.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs are medications used to treat depression and other mental health conditions. Previous studies provide conflicting evidence about potential links between the use of SSRIs during pregnancy and certain birth defects. Depression and other mental health conditions can be serious. Many women need to take medication during pregnancy to appropriately manage their symptoms.

If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, talk with your doctor about any medications you are taking or thinking about taking. Abruptly stopping the use of medicines to treat these conditions can have serious consequences. Magavi recommends consulting with a physician who can evaluate your mood state as the dose is gradually decreased over time.

In general, the recommended dose of Prozac ranges from 10 mg per day for panic disorder to 60 mg per day for bulimia nervosa. The initial dose for depression is 20 mg per day, but your provider may adjust that dosage up or down depending on symptoms. According to Dr. Priyanka, the general recommendation is to stay on the dose that provides good control of symptoms of depression. If you take a higher than average dose, Dr.

Priyanka says there may be a reason to adjust the dose during pregnancy, but this should be discussed in detail with your provider before making any decisions. Medications that are relatively safe during pregnancy are often safe to take while breastfeeding. Antidepressants like Prozac are generally considered safe to take while breastfeeding; however, research shows that the average amount of the drug in breastmilk is higher with fluoxetine than with most other SSRIs such as sertraline Zoloft.

Adverse effects from taking fluoxetine while breastfeeding include an increase in colic, fussiness, and drowsiness. If you have concerns about using Prozac while breastfeeding, make sure to talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits before making any decisions. That said, your doctor may also talk to you about serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors SNRIs like Cymbalta duloxetine , Lexapro escitalopram , and Effexor venlafaxine.

You should always discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor regarding any of these medications while pregnant or during the postpartum period. Click here to read the entire article on Single Care.