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702529 tn?1228488933

Pregnancy & Lorazapam

I am currently 23 weeks pregnant. Today, my OBGYN spoke with me about my medication.
I used to have a problem with panic attacks, and therefore I am on Lorazapam. I currently use 1.5 mg per day, I take 1.5 pill before going to bed, during the day I do not take anything. I have been on this medication for 5 years now. I have a son of 4, and during that pregnancy I was also on Lorazapam, even on a higher dosage then I am now. My OBGYN told me today that he would not prescribe this drug for me anymore. He told me that the best thing for me to do was quit cold-turkey. When I told him how scared I was for the side-effects that could come with this, he advised me to switch over to Prozac then.
I have heard alot of frighting stories about quitting from Lorazapam, and I would like to know the following:

1.  What are the risks of quitting cold-turkey from this drug, and how can this effect the baby?
2.  What are the risks for switching to Prozac now that my body is used to the Lorazapam, and how can this effect     the baby?

I am meeting with my OBGYN again in 10 days from now. If possible, I would like to know about this as soon as possible, so that I can think of the best way to go with this, and gain more information from people if needed.

Thank you for your replies.
8 Responses
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414635 tn?1272217693
I would not quit cold turkey, you do need to see another Dr to get a second opinion, you OB doesn't deal with this kinda stuff on a regualr basis. I would start cutting down right away though, and maybe it might be a good idea to try no medication for a bit. when i was dealing with panic attacks i had an "as needed" one...and just knowing it was there when i started to feel things happening was often enough for me without even having to take the pill.
Helpful - 0
489656 tn?1249999983
Hi. I am not a doc but that does not sound right to me either. I, myself, suffer from GAD and panic attacks. It reared its ugly head a few days ago, to the point I almost went to the ER. I did a little research on what was safe to take during pregnancy and I also read that Prozac was ok to take. Im hoping to make it through with prayer, but we will see :0   I had to resort to taking 1/2 of a .25 dose of Xananx the other night as I was totally freaking out. It did calm me down,a dn I feel horrible for it, but I figured I was between a rock and hard place. Which was worse ont he baby?  ya know?  Anyway, Id be curious to know what all you find out. But I would def. talk to a pharmicist and get a 2nd opinion on stopping cold turkey. That sounds dangerous. Take good care and good luck!
Helpful - 0
702529 tn?1228488933
Thank you so much for your replies, it really helps me so much.
I am in Rhode Island. Does anybody happen to know a good pharmasist I can talk to, or a good doctor for a second oppinion (one that has experience with situations like this)?
Helpful - 0
342988 tn?1299782356
i would not stop cold turkey.  i work in the MH field and know a lot about meds and they say to not stop cold turkey.  cut down slowly over a 2 week period.

also starting the prozac right away in a small dose with the ativan would be the safest, not stop one and then start another.  prozac is one of the safest stablization medications to take during pregnancy.  i have had women living in the group homes i run take it during their whole pregnancy and their babies were fine.  the doctor actually recommended it.  they did not even stop their first trimester, they took it striaght through.

i do know that some dotors will prescribe the ativan as a prn during your 3rd trimester if you are having difficulty but like Kate said, only as a PRN.  one of my pregnant friends was prescribed klonopin and ambien her last trimester as PRN's because she foudn out that her sister was terminally ill with cancer and she was a mess so they tried to calm her down.  it was safer to give her the meds rather than have her put herself into pre-term labor which she did 2 times and they stopped it each time.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sorry, Class D for the lorazepam.. I also am confused by the doctor just taking you off of it now at this stage in your pregnancy.

Class B is the best you are typically going to get in pregnancy b/c of the lack of studies (and willing participants) for medications taken during pregnancy.  Class C means there have been some issues in animal studies, no studies on humans

...hence the risk vs. benefit scenario.

The same is true for many other drugs.  I had to take prednisone when I was pregnant with my twins for PUPPP rash, which sucked...but I had no choice, as I was miserable.

I was on lorazepam before I got pregnant and didn't have trouble getting off of it.. but I was taking in PRN (as needed) and not every night which is different than your situation.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just want to point out that Lorazepam is a Class D drug (not a Class C drug as suggested above) - this is why your doctor does not want you to take it.  Was he aware you were taking this during the 1st trimester?  I am a little confused as to why he wants you to stop now.....
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I suggest you seek a 2nd opinion ASAP before doing anything.

It is NOT recommended that you stop taking a benzodiazopine such as Lorazepam cold turkey - this can lead to severe/intolerable withdrawal effects which can actually be dangerous in some individuals.  It is very likely you have developed a physical dependence on this drug which will mean you will need to slowly wean yourself off of it.  I do not know what impact this will have on your baby but if you suffer withdrawal phenomia, is possible your baby will too.

Prozac is relatively safe to take during pregnancy from the 2nd trimester onwards.  However, it can take up to 6 weeks to reach the full therapeutic  effect.  Talk to your doctor about taking Vistaril if you decide to make this transition.  Vistaril is a  Class C drug that is used, as needed, to help with panic attacks - it is safe to take while pregnant and is also used as a sleep aid and often during labor.

You might also want to talk to a pharmacist about this and the best way to wean off the Lorazepam.  Pharmacists are a wealth of information and might be able to give you some literature you can take to the OBGYN.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Did the same doctor prescribe you the Lorazepam during your other pregnancy?  Quitting cold turkey sounds a little off to me when it comes to an anxiety medication although if you are only taking one in the evenings the withdrawal might not be too bad.

You need more information from your doctor and if you are not getting the support you need from this one, I would advise switching to one who is better at explaining and listening.  Prozac and Lorazepam are two totally different "classes" of drugs.  Prozac is an SSRI and lorazepam is a benzodiazepine.. in other words, they have different mechanisms of action in the body.

I know it is scary but could you go off of the lorazepam and see how your body does (hopefully no panic attacks) before you go on Prozac?

Both Prozac and Lorazepam are Category C drugs (not the ideal) in pregnancy.  However, with prozac and some other ssris that have been around the longest- there has been much use in pregnancy without ill effects to the baby. It is like anything else- you and your doctor have to weigh risks vs. benefits.  Hope this helps.
Helpful - 0
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