Venlafaxine - Help

[BobbidyBibbidyBob]

Hi all

I am 7+3 (FTM) and have been taking 37.5mg venlafaxine for years. I always knew the 'general' advice was it's fine to stay on ADs whilst pregnant as better to have a healthy happy mummy and I am also aware of the withdrawal effects baby can have.

However, having done some further research, it seems Venlafaxine specifically seems to carry a higher risk of birth defects when taken pre conception / early pregnancy so now i am freaking out that I have damaged my baby. I also understand that you cannot really cold turkey on Venlafaxine, nonetheless I ave cut my tablet in half today which may be too little too late.

I have searched through and read through a lot of threads, which are mostly old, so just looking for any more recent positive stories or advice anyone can give me.

Thank you

I take Venlafaxine 225mg per day. I have been for many years. I am 16 weeks pregnant. My baby is healthy in my scans and I have not been told that it will cause any issues with the baby.
It will be more of a withdrawal issue when the baby is born, I was told, and they will monitor that when he or she arrives. Venlafaxine is definitely something you should not go cold turkey on and I wouldn't even reduce your dose without seeking medical advice first.
Congratulations with your pregnancy

I used to take venlafaxine and in my first pregnancy I was terrified and stopped it thinking I was doing the right thing for the baby. It was awful, I made myself so unwell and took years to recover properly. Never go cold turkey with that medication!

I would speak to your GP, they may recommend switching to an ssri or refer to perinatal team for medication advice.

37.5mg is a very small dose and like PP
said above, concerns would Be around the third trimester and withdrawals after birth. It's easy to say try not to worry but I know the first trimester is full of worry and anxiety anyway.

Try not to Google and Stick to evidence based research - BUMPS is used by medical professionals - www.medicinesinpregnancy.org

I was taking venlafaxine when I got pregnant with DS, I cut down slowly (really slowly, I used to open up the pills and remove some of the little balls to make the dose slightly weaker each day) rather than cold turkey, can't remember exactly how long it took but probably wasn't completely weaned off it before 9 or 10 weeks or so. The slow wean made coming off it much more bearable, honestly didn't get much withdrawal symptoms.

DS is absolutely perfect and healthy.

Thank you both so much for your replies, i really appreciate it. Google is not our friend (esp. with heightened anxiety!) I definitely will not go cold turkey, over the years I have come off and gone on so many ADs i know how bloomin awful it can be.