Amitriptyline in pregnancy? anyone experience

[GemmaPearl97]

7 weeks pregnant unexpectedly (but very much wanted) but worrying I won't be able to continue with this pregnancy as I am highly reliant on Amitriptyline & have taken for 10 + years for nerve pain. Have tried to reduce dose/stop taking several times but the withdrawal symptoms (+ duration - have lasted years each) so had discussed with my Dr I will probably always be on this med. I read mixed things about if amitriptyline is 'safe' in pregnancy & already feel undeserving of this pregnancy as how much damage could have occured in 7 weeks already. I can't tell anyone in my real life, has anyone here had successful pregnancy whilst taking amitiptyline?

Hi op, I don’t have any personal experience with amitriptlyne in pregnancy myself but am a mental health nurse, this website is what we use to give to ladies who are pregnant and on meds.
https://www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/Medicine--pregnancy/Amitriptyline/

I have seen ladies on a variety of medications throughout pregnancy and there are very few which are classed as teratogenic (valproate for one).

I See you’re taking it for neuro/pain reasons rather than mental health, but it may be worth asking for a referral to the perinatal mental health team to discuss medication use during pregnancy as their consultant will be knowledgeable of the effects on baby.

I myself have taken duloxetine in pregnancy (slow reduction to avoid withdrawal) and there is similarly limited information about - baby is seemingly fine and I am now 37 weeks pregnant and waiting for him to arrive!

Hello! Hoping you’ll see this as I know it’s an old thread…. I’m going through IVF atm and hoping to fall pregnant this year, however I’m also on Amitriptilyne for nerve pain & I rely heavily on it!! Doctor felt comfortable me being on a low dose if we were to fall pregnant but specialist wants me completely off it so I feel a bit stuck. Did you end up staying on Ami or coming off? I hope it all went well for you x

Hiya, I take approx 40mg of Ami per day for Migraines, I did ask the doctor last time I had a check up at the hospital about TTC and pregnancy. He said there were no studies to suggest that there would be any issues taking it whilst pregnant and it would probably be safer for me to have the medicine over headaches.

That's just my personal experience- you may want to check with your own doctor to be sure.

@therealpatmustard thank-you! Yes my doctor had done some research herself and gave me a few things to look at also, I felt comfortable but then my specialist planted the seed of doubt in my head & I started to question it. I guess going through IVF it’s just been such a journey already & I’d hate to put my future baby at risk in any way. Thanks for your comment

I have taken 30mg a day of amitriptyline during my pregnancy. Am now 35 weeks and all is going well so far. My rheumatologist said the benefits of amitryptyline for me outweighed any risks to baby. I've seen 3 obstetricians so far and they've all been happy for me to take the amitryptyline.