Revealed on: 03 Apr 2023
Being pregnant is a time of pleasure and anticipation. Sadly, it may also be a time stuffed with fear — particularly if you happen to’re coping with psychological well being situations like despair or nervousness. It’s legitimate to have issues in regards to the security of taking antidepressants like Lexapro, or some other kind of medicine, throughout your being pregnant.
To your peace of thoughts and your child’s security, it’s actually vital to discover the dangers related to Lexapro and being pregnant. Then you may make an knowledgeable determination that’s best for you and your child. Study extra about Lexapro throughout being pregnant right here — we’re discussing all the pieces that you must know.
Is Lexapro Protected Throughout Being pregnant?
Can you are taking Lexapro whereas pregnant? The U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies the antidepressant medicine Lexapro as a “Being pregnant Class C” drug. Primarily, this implies threat can’t totally be dominated out, and extra analysis needs to be finished. Thus, the FDA recommends consulting your physician earlier than deciding if you happen to ought to take Lexapro throughout being pregnant.
“Some research present that Lexapro could cause issues with being pregnant, particularly into the third trimester resulting in respiratory issues with the new child. Sadly, the start of being pregnant can generally set off despair, so it is a query that’s higher left to your physician.”
Can Lexapro trigger beginning defects?
When discussing Lexapro and being pregnant, we should always level out that some analysis discovered that when moms took selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) throughout their being pregnant (Lexapro is an SSRI), the infants had a barely greater threat of creating sure congenital disabilities. Nevertheless, it’s vital to notice that this elevated threat was minimal. Most infants had been born wholesome and with out issues associated to a mom’s use of SSRIs throughout being pregnant.
It’s extensively accepted that present analysis doesn’t essentially counsel withholding antidepressant medicine use, however the determination have to be individualized and made by speaking together with your physician.
What Occurs If You Take Lexapro Whereas Pregnant
A number of research appear to counsel that Lexapro possible received’t enhance the chance of great issues, however your physician may not advocate it. The most typical Lexapro negative effects skilled by a pregnant girl embody the next.
Low beginning weight and preterm labor/beginning
Some research present that Lexapro could enhance the chance of low beginning weight. It additionally may contribute to the likelihood of preterm beginning.
Withdrawal
One in every of Lexapro’s negative effects for a pregnant girl could embody withdrawal signs. Some infants born to moms who took sure medicines throughout being pregnant could expertise withdrawal signs. Widespread indicators of withdrawal can embody extreme crying, tremors or shaking, poor feeding habits, sleep disturbances, irritability, and jitteriness.
What if You’re Already Taking Lexapro?
For those who’re already taking Lexapro, it’s regular to fret and marvel — can you are taking Lexapro whereas pregnant? The underside line: it’s essential to speak to your physician about this or some other medicine use.
You’ll need to think about how stopping your antidepressant may have an effect on your psychological well being and well-being, in fact. Sadly, for some folks, discontinuing antidepressants can result in a relapse in despair signs and even suicidal ideas. If this occurs, it could put each mom and child in danger.
Your physician will make it easier to weigh the potential dangers vs. advantages of stopping Lexapro throughout being pregnant. They’ll think about components resembling your medical historical past and present psychological well being standing earlier than making a advice.
“It’s vital to debate beginning or stopping any medicine together with your physician, particularly in case you are pregnant. Drugs like Lexapro are wonderful for treating despair, nevertheless solely your physician may help you make the choice on whether or not or not the dangers outweigh the advantages.”
Speak to a Psychiatrist About Protected Drugs
In terms of psychological well being, medicine generally is a highly effective software in managing signs. Nevertheless, within the case of Lexapro and being pregnant, the dangers have to be rigorously weighed. For those who’re pregnant and contemplating psychiatrist-prescribed medicine, or if you happen to’re taking Lexapro and occupied with getting — or simply came upon you might be — pregnant, speak to your psychiatrist or physician about your choices.
Talkspace helps present on-line remedy and psychiatry so you’ve got entry to licensed therapists and psychiatrists from anyplace. Textual content messaging, telephone calls, or video chat expertise makes getting assist easy and handy. Discovering a psychological well being care skilled who focuses on treating despair throughout being pregnant permits expectant moms higher flexibility when in search of skilled assist with out leaving house.
For extra particulars round potential negative effects and interactions, study weight achieve on Lexapro and the dangers of taking Lexapro and alcohol.
Sources:
- Marchocki Z, Russell NE, Donoghue KO. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and being pregnant: A evaluation of maternal, fetal and neonatal dangers and advantages. Obstetric Medication. 2013;6(4):155-158. doi:10.1177/1753495×13495194. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5004326/. Accessed December 16, 2022.
- Klieger-Grossmann C, Weitzner B, Panchaud A, et al. Being pregnant outcomes following use of Escitalopram: A potential comparative cohort examine. The Journal of Scientific Pharmacology. 2012;52(5):766-770. doi:10.1177/0091270011405524. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22075232/. Accessed December 16, 2022.
- Klieger-Grossmann C, Weitzner B, Panchaud A, et al. Being pregnant outcomes following use of Escitalopram: A potential comparative cohort examine. The Journal of Scientific Pharmacology. 2012;52(5):766-770. doi:10.1177/0091270011405524. https://accp1.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0091270011405524. Accessed December 16, 2022.
- Escitalopram (Lexapro). NAMI. https://www.nami.org/About-Psychological-Sickness/Remedies/Psychological-Well being-Drugs/Varieties-of-Remedy/Escitalopram-(Lexapro). Accessed December 16, 2022.
Talkspace articles are written by skilled psychological health-wellness contributors; they’re grounded in scientific analysis and evidence-based practices. Articles are extensively reviewed by our workforce of scientific consultants (therapists and psychiatrists of varied specialties) to make sure content material is correct and on par with present trade requirements.
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