FFS - does ANYONE know if venlafaxine is ok to take when pregnant???????

[QueenofVenus]

No matter where i look or who i ask it seems noone can say either 'yes' or 'no'!!!!!!

[sunfleurs]

I was advised to come off it by my GP. They said they could prescribe an alternative but I really didn't want to be on anything when pregnant so I gradually reduced the dose and came off altogether before trying to conceive.

Have you spoken to your GP?

[Sidge]

The BNF (British National Formulary, ie the prescribing 'bible') says this:

Manufacturer advises avoid unless potential benefit outweighs risk; risk of withdrawal effects in neonate

Hope that's helpful.

[roslily]

I came off it when I found out I was pregnant. There are considered "safer" Ads. However my doctor said the main risk is that baby will have withdrawal symptoms when born.

Talk to your GP about it

[AzureBlueSky]

Hi...I had exactly the same problem getting a yes or no with the AD I was on (Zispin). You will never get a straight answer I'm afraid, frustrating though it is (and beleive me, I know exactly how frustrating it is.

I'm posting this link for you, It's mainly about taking velafaxine whilst breastfeeding, but it does mention taking it during pregnancy briefly. Hope it helps a little ..

toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/f?./temp/~EXzVaO:1

Ok, the links not working, but you can cut and paste

[GinaFordAteMyBaby]

Wikipedia says this:

Pregnant women

There are no adequate, well-controlled studies of venlafaxine in pregnant women. Therefore, venlafaxine should only be used during pregnancy if clearly needed.[2] Prospective studies have not shown any statistically significant congenital malformations.[17] There have, however, been some reports of self-limiting effects on newborn infants.[18] As with other serotonin reuptake inhibitors, these effects are generally short-lived, lasting only 3 to 5 days,[19] and rarely resulting in severe complications.[20] Use of Venlafaxine in pregnancy should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

[YanknCock]

I was a long term venlafaxine user (7 years) and tapered off while trying to get pregnant. I had a miscarriage, stopped venlafaxine altogether, then got pregnant a few months later. Ended up very depressed and wanted the venlafaxine back, but was discouraged and tried on fluoxetine 10mg for two months, and citalopram 10mg for a month with no effect. Then got citalopram bumped up to 20mg and am doing very well.

From what I remember reading, I believe there have been cases of infants suffering the withdrawal syndrome that is associated with stopping venlafaxine. Having gone through that withdrawal myself for three miserable weeks, there's no way I'd wish it on a newborn. I'm glad they didn't let me go back on the venlafaxine when I wanted to. However, if the citalopram hadn't finally worked for me, I'd probably have a different story. It really is a case by case thing.

[notevenamousie]

There is no yes or no.

I took it right through and would do again, because I have been tried on numerous other antidepressants, none effective, and the risk of an antenatal/postnatal depression was too much for me. This was a decision for me and my dr though, no one can tell you the right answer for you.