Pregnant n Weaning off Drugs

[LRoman57]

My daughter found out she's pregnant and has been taking Percocet and Meth.. She has an appt at the Clinic in 5 days and was wondering if it's safe for her to take Subutex to help her wean off these drug?I know that it's harmful to her and the baby for her just to stop cold turkey. So my question is if anyone knows if it's safe to take Subutex or something to help her withdrawls.. She quit the Meth but is still taking the Percocet to help w withdrawls. This is hard for me as her mother but I am seeking help or advise from anyone who's been thru this or has any info as to what will help her?
Thanks so much,
LR

[vicki595]

I wouldn't recommend Subutex for a way to get off Percocet and I would be leary of any doctor who would prescribe it.  An OB could help her taper off the Percocet slowly and safely and avoid long term use. Remember, Subutex is also an opiate and a strong one.

She could benefit from a strong recovery care program, as well.

[ActingBrandNew]

When you say Meth I'm a$$uming your talking about methadone mot methamphetamine? Right? Anyways, if this is correct it seems like your daughter did it backwards as the methadone seems to be the standard protocol from expecting mothers detoxing from opiates. She should have stayed on the methadone and let the Percocet go. Whatever she does should be done under the care and advisement of her OB but here is some helpful info below that you can present at a dr visit.

Standard Protocol

When a pregnant woman wants to detoxify from opiates or other opioids, the recognized standard of care, according to the National Health Institute, is methadone treatment while under a doctor's supervision. Methadone is not known to cause birth defects nor have any long-term affects on a baby. There are other medications available for opiate detoxification such, as Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone), or Subutex, (buprenorphine), but because they are "Pregnancy Category C" medications, meaning they are known to cause harmful and possibly fatal birth defects on a fetus, the are not recommended for use in detoxifying pregnant women.

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"If a mother stops using the drug "cold turkey," the fetus will then experience withdrawal symptoms in the womb, with may cause wide swings in the baby's blood level from intoxication to withdrawal, which often times leads to death and spontaneous abortion, premature birth, and other negative effects.  The best thing for the mother to do would be to consult a health care provider or drug treatment center about a methadone program, which will be less harmful for the baby."

[LRoman57]

I will let her know this.. I will be going w her to Clinic on Tuesday. For now she wants to take Subutex I think that's how it's spelled and I'm just not sure if that's any better?  Thank you for your advise and I am monitoring her closely n trying to convince her to get NA help as well.
LR

[Pat1956100]

Hi there
Just wanted to say that we have had lots of addicted pregnant Moms come through here and they have delivered healthy babies under a doctor's care.
I agree with Lu.  The most important thing is being totally honest with her OBGYN.  Don't worry he/she has heard at all before and should be happy to help your daughter and appreciate her honesty..

Please let us know how she makes out.

[lulu747]

Hey There-
Welcome.

I'm sorry to hear about this, it must be so hard for you and you must be so worried about your daughter and your grandchild.  I don't know much about subutex except it is hard to detox from, but I do know that your daughter should NOT stop taking any opiates when she is pregnant cold turkey as this could cause miscarriage.  She needs to see an OBGYN immediately and be completely honest about her drug use.  They will put her on an appropriate med for her and baby and either use it as maintenance or wean her off slowly during her pregnancy depending on what her use was.  I would do as much research as possible, and consult as many doctors as possible.  There are two important lives at stake here.  I would also advise you to get your daughter some form of aftercare as in NA/AA, addictions counselling.  The psychological component of addiction is baffling and requires as much support and expertise as the physical.  I would also urge you to seek some support yourself.  Al-anon is amazing for those that are family, friends, loved ones of addicts.
I wish you, your daughter, and your grandchild the very best.  Please keep posting and keep us updated.
Sending support...
Lu