effexor and pregnancy

[marge199]

I am hoping to get pregnant at age 40 with my first child . I take 75mg of effexor daily for GAD. Is it safe to take effexor while pregnant?
thanks!

[lhughes]

Effexor is a Cat C drug, crosses the placenta near the end of pregnancy..there is an increase chance of low birth weight and unknown demise (very low, but there).  It will show up in your breast milk.  Being a Cat C, it is considered safe to a point (which apparently is third trimester).

NEONATAL SIDE EFFECTS: Restlessness, hypertonia, jitteriness, irritability and poor feeding occurred in a neonate after maternal use of venlafaxine for depression during pregnancy. The diagnosis was confirmed by a temporary improvement after administration of a low dose (1 mg) of venlafaxine to the boy. The symptoms ceased after 8 days.

Best is let your OB know before you get pregnant and get their input on this.

[lintymae]

Check with you doctor, but my doctor and my psychiatrist who is a specialist in maternal depression said that effexor is safe until the third trimester and then we would have to reevaluate the situation.

[lintymae]

Check with you doctor, but my doctor and my psychologist who is a specialist in maternal depression said that effexor is safe until the third trimester and then we would have to reevaluate the situation.

[2wonderfulboys]

NO its not safe

[cpatow]

I'd check w/ your doc and OB. I was on Lexapro and went off but I was also on a smaller dose (5 mg). I've read many different opinions but mostly I've read that during the first trimester it is best to be off. My OB reinforced that if I had any depression whatsoever that there are many safe meds to take. For me, I've been fine going off and have felt fine and am actually glad I'm off!

Good luck!