Has anyone took xanax during pregnancy?

• 03-14-2008 7:28 PM

  Jenn1976 Joined on 03-15-2008 Florida Posts 5

  Has anyone took xanax during pregnancy? Reply Contact Hey! I'm 5 wks and waiting for medicaid to kick in to see a Dr. I don't have an app. til the end of next week, so if anyone knows anything about xanax and preganancy, please share with me, and if I have to quit taking them...PLEASE tell me how you did it, I'm scared just to quit cold turkey, for I hear that you can seizure coming off of them, but I'm willing to try any method if it's hurting my baby in any way...I just don't know HOW!!!

• 04-09-2008 1:34 PM

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  Sarah2791004 Joined on 04-09-2008 Posts 5

  Re: Has anyone took xanax during pregnancy? Reply Contact Xanax is NOT good while u r pregnant. According to webmd: "Xanax (or Alprazolam) is not recommended for use during pregnancy due to the potential for harm to an unborn baby. This drug passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Therefore, breast-feeding while using this medication is not recommended. I have taken xanax before and the best way to get off of it is to go off slowly. start weening off of it and take less and less of it otherwise it can cause an addiction. i had to get off of it because i was addicted to it. i DEFINITELY suggest that u get off of it ASAP because it can definitely cause some kind of harm to the baby even maybe some kind of defect. Drugs like that are really bad for an unborn baby. But you should talk with your doctor the next time you see him.

• 04-21-2008 4:19 PM

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  Constance727235 Joined on 03-07-2005 Mama 2 Lilly 8/05, Kenzy 11/06 & Baby Boy 9/07/08 Posts 529

  Re: Has anyone took xanax during pregnancy? Reply Contact I first wanted to say, Medicaid back dates any appt's or medical costs up to 90 days.  I'd go see your OB ASAP.  Or even call and tell them you're on Xanax, have no insurance yet and want to know what you can do. Xanax is a category X during pregnancy (not recommended during pregnancy at all) and can cause many birth defects in the first trimester.  I know,  b/c I was on it also but not on a daily basis.  I stopped taking it around 5-6 weeks pregnant.  How many mg are you are currently?  I'd start weaning yourself now.  They could also put you on Zoloft or Wellbutrin which are anti-depressants that help with anxiety.  Do NOT stop cold turkey.  You really need to call a doctor or the OB you plan to see soon. Best of luck to you!  HUGS!

• 05-02-2008 9:15 PM

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  Tracy2835892 Joined on 05-03-2008 Posts 2

  Re: Has anyone took xanax during pregnancy? Reply Contact Jen, I took xanax carrying my 3rd child. I took it to control panic attacks. I was horrified about taking it when I found out I was pregnant (I was taking another drug for the problem as well). We were military at the time and I couldn't get in to see an OBGYN for a month. I did get to chat with the head of maternal/fetal medicine at a major training hospital and he assured me that continuing to .5 mg a day would not put the baby in real danger. I then talked to the doctor who prescribed the xanax and he told me the same, he added that the side effects of the panic attacks could also have negative effects. Still not comfortable with this info I called Phizer and spoke to someone in research and this is what he told me. There is no research of any birth defects from fetus' exposed to xanax because of course, drug trials cannot be done on pregnant women. One of the few cases he did know of where there was a negative effect from xanax exposure was a dose of 15 mg. He also told me if I was his wife he would not have a concern for me taking it. Bottom line is, see an OB/GYN and try not to worry. Of course it's always better to not take anything at all when you are pregnant. Baby number 3 is now 13 years old and is a great kid!!!

• 05-02-2008 9:38 PM

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  Tracy2835892 Joined on 05-03-2008 Posts 2	Re: Has anyone took xanax during pregnancy? Reply Contact Xanax is a class D drug for pregancy, not class X

• 05-03-2008 7:49 AM

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  elizabeth2541073 Joined on 03-30-2008 new jersey Posts 186

  Re: Has anyone took xanax during pregnancy? Reply Contact Last February I had a miscarriage and had been taking Xanax. I did not know I was pregnant because my cycle is not consistent, but when I finally found out, I was probably around 8 weeks. I was also taking diet pills (things like Xenadrine and Red Line, one dose a day) which may have caused problems too...Although I cannot be sure these meds were the cause, I would stop taking meds, especially during these first weeks, when organs and facial palates are developing. I did google anxiety meds (valium, xanax) and found they were linked to facial cleft palates amd miscarriage. But it many of these studies are founded on small groups of women so these linkages are not fact. But I would indeed stop taking them and if you do continue, try to take the smallest does possible. I have heard of women taking clonazapam aka Klonopin (same family as the anxiety meds) because they were prescribed for seizures and the benefit outweighed the risk. Basically it truly is a gamble because you hear different stories.

• 05-03-2008 9:30 PM

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  kris2622441 Joined on 01-20-2008 Posts 13

  Re: Has anyone took xanax during pregnancy? Reply Contact During my last pregnancy, I had to take Dilantin for seizures, along with xanax, seroQuel, lexapro, and others. Once under the care of a docter, you'll be most likely offered to see a genetic counciler-or neonatologist and you'll get more specific info on how your xanex will effect your fetus. Medicaid covers it.Out of all the meds on my list the dilantin was the only one known to cause birth defects. But I Weened to a smaller amount,which was considered safe until the end of the pregnancy.You have to get informed then weigh the benifits with the risks.My daughter is 2 now and seemingly totally unaffected by the meds.Right now I'm 7 months pregnant and even though I'm off the dilantin, I still need my psych meds.You have to take care of the baby inside, but you also have to take care of you.

• 06-28-2008 2:17 PM

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  alison2931257 Joined on 06-28-2008 Posts 3

  Re: Has anyone took xanax during pregnancy? Reply Contact I am approx. 6 weeks and am currently trying to taper off of Klonopin. My original dose was 0.5mg twice a day. I have now cut down to 0.25 twice a day and am dealing with it ok, besides not being able to get good sleep. I tried to just stop taking it...that was absolutely unbearable. I felt horrible...sweating,shakes,dizziness,nausea,weakness,nightmares,and horrible thoughts. Basically felt like a bad panic attack and then some. I myself have done some extensive research and have read both good and bad but no actual studies on this particular medication other than NOT to just STOP taking it or stop "cold turkey". I have an appointment with my OB in a few days. I have been eating very healthy,taking prenatal vitamins and just basically just trying to take care of myself the best I can. I am just concerned about what the Klonopin could do to my baby or what the withdrawls could do...what could be worse. I have been taking the Klonopin 0.5mg twice daily for almost 4 years! I used to take Lexapro as well but stopped that about 6 months after I started it 4 years ago. So other than the Klonopin, I take nothing else.