Antidepressants

[JustME9]

Anyone have any good or bad experience?Any that do NOT make you gain weight? Thanks! =)

[Chookschick]

I've been on Zoloft and it didn't make me gain any weight. Plus my doctor says it's safe to take during pregnancy.

[doublel]

anyone taken lexapro?  Does it make you gain weight or feel zombie like?

[Casey1]

Heh.  I've taken them all.  None of them made me gain weight.  Prozac and Zoloft are the ones they have the most data on as far as not having negative effects on the baby.

[JustME9]

Thanks guys! I'm just having a REALLY hard time getting out of this "hole" so to speak you know? My dear friend told me yesterday that she's prego w/ her 5th..it seems so easy for her..and she's like 42 years old...didn't even start till she was 38...WAH! i AM jealous..i'm 33 and WAS trying and just can't sustain the pregnancies..i just need something to level me out and i don't want to gain any more weight! i've gained ENOUGH! THANKS so much for your answers! ((((((((HUGS))))))))))

[nickncats]

Stay away from paxil!  That made me gain a ton of weight.  Most antidepressents that I know of the higher the dosage the more weight you gain, but lower dosages can actually help you lose weight.  It's weird, but true.  Like prozac in lower dosages helped this coworker of mine lose weight.  I'm sorry you're so depressed!  I've been through depression, too... if you want to talk about it, I'd love to!  ***@****

[Still_AndiJ]

Actually, prozac is a category C, which means they do not know if it has potential problems.

Fluoxetine (Prozac ®)
Antidepressant
CATEGORY:C
BREAST FEEDING:The American Academy of Pediatrics has classified fluoxetine as a drug "for which the effect on nursing infants is unknown but may be of concern" [G3].
NEONATAL SIDE EFFECTS: Irritability, vomiting, and watery stools.

Bupropion (Wellbutrin ®, Zyban ®)
Antidepressant
CATEGORY:B
GlaxoSmithKline maintains a Bupropion Pregnancy Registry. Health care providers are encouraged to register patients.
BREAST FEEDING: The American Academy of Pediatrics has classified bupropion as a drug "for which the effect on nursing infants is unknown but may be of concern" [G3].
NEONATAL SIDE EFFECTS:

Sertraline (Zoloft ®)
Antidepressant
CATEGORY:C
BREAST FEEDING: Excreted into breast milk. Compatible [1,2]. The American Academy of Pediatrics has classified sertraline as a drug "for which the effect on nursing infants is unknown but may be of concern" [G3].
NEONATAL SIDE EFFECTS: None reported.

Paroxetine (Paxil ®)
Antidepressant
CATEGORY:C
Limited human data suggests no increased rate of anomaly. However, there is insufficient data on possible behavioral teratogenic effects .
BREAST FEEDING: Excreted into breast milk. Compatible [1]. The American Academy of Pediatrics has classified paroxetine as a drug "for which the effect on nursing infants is unknown but may be of concern" [G3].
NEONATAL SIDE EFFECTS: Neonatal withdrawal syndrome has been reported after third trimester in utero exposure [2] .

Alprazolam (Xanax)
Antianxiety, Benzodiazepine
CATEGORY: D
No data on placental passage . However, benzodiazepines as a class freely cross the placenta and may accumulate in the fetus. 1st trimester exposure to alprazolam specifically in 542 infants, studied prospectively, resulted in no increase in major or minor anomalies, or rates of miscarriage.
BREAST FEEDING: The American Academy of Pediatrics has classified alprazolam as a drug "for which the effect on nursing infants is unknown but may be of concern" [G3].
NEONATAL SIDE EFFECTS:Withdrawal,neonatal flaccidity and respiratory problems at birth.

Here is a link to a site that has all of the "Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation" information. You will usually need to know the generic name but those are easy enough to find on the internet.

http://www.perinatology.com/exposures/druglist.htm#Alprazolam

CATEGORY INTERPRETATION
      A CONTROLLED STUDIES SHOW NO RISK. Adequate, well-controlled studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in any trimester of pregnancy.
      B NO EVIDENCE OF RISK IN HUMANS. Adequate, well-controlled studies in pregnant women have not shown increased risk of fetal abnormalities despite adverse findings in animals, or, in the absence of adequate human studies, animal studies show no fetal risk. The chance of fetal harm is remote, but remains a possibility.
      C RISK CANNOT BE RULED OUT. Adequate,well-controlled human studies are lacking, and animal studies have shown a risk to the fetus or are lacking as well. There is a chance of fetal harm if the drug is administered during pregnancy; but the potential benefits may outweigh the potential risks.
      D POSITIVE EVIDENCE OF RISK. Studies in humans, or investigational or post-marketing data, have demonstrated fetal risk. Nevertheless, potential benefits from the use of the drug may outweigh the potential risk. For example, the drug may be acceptable if needed in a life-threatening situation or serious disease for which safer drugs cannot be used or are ineffective.
      X CONTRAINDICATED IN PREGNANCY. Studies in animals or humans, or investigational or post-marketing reports, have demonstrated positive evidence of fetal abnormalities or risks which clearly outweighs any possible benefit to the patient.


As far as my experience, it can be different for everyone as far as weight gain. One friend swore prozac made her gain weight, yet she liked effexor. I didn't gain weight on any of the many meds i have been on (celexa, effexor, prozac, etc.) And now I am on Wellbutrin and have lost a few pounds. It is also great if you are a smoker and really want to quit (only if you get the 150mg BID dose though)

As with all meds, it will be a process of trial and error. I would stay away from xanax (i have had 2 friends on that it is made them seem drunk all the time and they both became addicted in a sense) Zoloft made a friend actually have severe anxiety attacks within a few days of starting it, and I have yet to hear anything good about Paxil over the years many people I spoke with didn't like it enough that they quit within 30 days.

Hope you can find the answers your are looking for. I know crossing that bridge is never easy and it gets even more frustrating until you find something that helps. YOu know my history, so there is hope!!

BIG OL HUGS!!

Andrea

[JustME9]

Thanks girl! you are awesome! I decided to try prozac again and give it a little longer to work in me...so, i filled my prescription today and i'll start tonight or tomorrow! Thanks SO much for all your info! i don't think i'm going to try to have another baby again =( so this should be fine, i just really don't want to gain anymore weight! BUT i'm going to try one of those books you told me about! =0 So, anyhow! Thanks SO much! keep me posted on your status! =) HUGS to all!

[Still_AndiJ]

Kellie,
  It will all work out I am sure. Did she start you on 20mg once a day? My dad and I both found when we were on it that after a month or 2 we needed to increase our doses to 40mg and we would split it up. Hopefully it will work for you : )
If it doesn't, maybe try effexor. It is a different type of anti-depressant, not just and SSRI like all those other popular ones.

Hugs!!

Andrea

[JustME9]

Hey, yes it is 20mg once a day.  Ya know you think i'd know this..but i have no idea...all i know is the once a week thing is supposedly not as good as far as release...you "run out" close to the end of the week so they say and it can wreak havoc on your body.  my biggest fear is the weight gain! but i also want to be able to function without bursting into tears and feeling so stressed all the time.  so...we will see! Thanks for all your help Andrea! =)((((HUGS))))

[Casey1]

I know it's still a class C.  But it's been around the longest of any of the SSRI's and so has the most data in regards to safety while pregnant.

[Still_AndiJ]

It is a matter of choice, I guess. My doctor also has an additional degree in pharmacology and toxicology and prefered that since I am high-risk that I take Wellbutrin. Depends on the doctor I guess.


Andrea

[Casey1]

Wellbutrin is a different class of drug from Prozac et al.  I hadn't heard it was safe for pregnancy though.  Is it working well for you?  My hubby takes it to hlep him in his struggles to quit smoking. :)

[Still_AndiJ]

That is just it, many people I know don't respond to SSRI meds. I know I didn't, I know several friends who haven't found relief in numerous SSRI meds.

And the "side effects" of wellbutrin are much more desirable than SSRI/tricyclic meds. There is significantly lower incedence of weight gain (exactly what Kellie wants), no sexual side effects (unlike many other meds that kill your sex drive) and in my case it works like a charm.

And if by chance Kellie chooses to conceive again, she won't have to worry about dumping her meds for fear of harm to her baby. I will take a class B over a class C anyday if I can.


Andrea

[cat.997]

I take Wellbutrin and it's safe to take during pregnancy.  I wanted to come off it while I was pregnant, but since the miscarriage I think it's keeping me from going off the deep end.  Just talk to your Dr.  You're all in my thoughts!  It's so nice to have somewhere to go and chat with people who really understand what you're going through.

[Casey1]

Actually, it depends on me. :)  I take an SSRI for severe panic disorder.  I tried Wellbutrin and it was not effective in treating that.  I anxious as all get out my entire pregnancy or peaceful, depending on whether or not I was medicated.  I choose the peaceful, especially since high cortisol levels are KNOWN to be detrimental.

It's a gamble to take any medication during pregnancy, but sometimes it's necessary.

[Still_AndiJ]

You don't have to tell me about that. If you read back, you will see the year I went through before I got pg with my son. I was on Effexor, Buspar and Ativan following a very brutal sexual assualt. I suffered not only from severe depression, but PTSD, severe social anxiety disorder and could literally not leave my house. But when I found out I was pg with my son, I quit everything. Nothing is more precious in life than a child and no medication is worth the potential harm.

Prozac is a good drug, if you respond to it. Too many people are misdiagnosed with depression and are put on meds they don't need. I was misdiagnosed for years and continually placed on meds that didn't work. Bottom line is only Kellie will know what is best for her.

It really is a personal choice. Given that I just suffered my 4th m/c, I am not willing to take that kind of chance.

Andrea

[Casey1]

You don't have to keep trying to convince me you've made the right choice.  Obviously the other drugs did not work for you.  However, no one should be make to feel guilty if they require medication during their pregnancy.  This is my last post on the subject, since you seem determined to take everything I say personally.

[Still_AndiJ]

It was never my intention to condemn people for using meds when they are pg. my point was that it is possible to make it through without meds. I spent many years trying to get pregnant and not m/c, when I finally got pg with my son after my 3rd m/c I did everything possible to prevent another loss. I found that the joy of having my son growing inside of me helped to lift part of that dark cloud.

Not everyone is capable of making it without meds. And if they are that necessary, by all means take them. I just worry that some people aren't making an informed decision and may regret it.

Enough on this subject. We have both beat it to death. My only goal was to help Kellie, not bicker back and forth with you. I know now I will just talk to her privately so as to avoid all this.


Andrea

[Casey1]

OK, I lied about this being my last post. :)  Truly my intent was not to bicker with you and I apologize if I came across as snarky.  I so appreciate all the help and advice you bring to this forum, and I'm pulling for you to get pregnant again!!!  Thanks for the info on the antidepressants as well - it is something I will certainly ask my doctor about.  I didn't realize that Paxil was a Class B while Prozac is a class C.  I wonder why that is?

[Still_AndiJ]

I don't know either. I just bought the Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation book along with a more in depth pharamacutical book recently and started looking into all the meds. I don't always trust docotrs to be up to date : ) My family is even arguing about me getting off the meds when I get pg again. One aunt even suggests not nursing just so I can stay on my meds!!I promised my family that if I felt I was starting to slip, I would go back on them.

I just hope they can someday come out with something that will be safe for those little peanuts so we don't have added stress. Congrats on your pregnancy, definitely keep me posted on everything.

Andrea