I'm prescribed adderall klonopin and suboxone also pregnant what is your opinion on the safety?

Hey cbowman,

Drugs are assigned to certain categories based on their relative harm to the baby and the studies that have been done on them.

Category A

Controlled studies in women fail to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester (and there is no evidence of a risk in later trimesters), and the possibility of fetal harm appears remote.

Category B

Either animal-reproduction studies have not demonstrated a fetal risk but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women, or animal-reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect (other than a decrease in fertility) that was not confirmed in controlled studies in women in the first trimester (and there is no evidence of a risk in later trimesters).

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Category C

Either studies in animals have revealed adverse effects on the fetus (teratogenic or embryocidal or other) and there are no controlled studies in women, or studies in women and animals are not available. Drugs should be given only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Category D

There is positive evidence of human fetal risk, but the benefits from use in pregnant women may be acceptable despite the risk (e.g., if the drug is needed in a life-threatening situation or for a serious disease for which safer drugs cannot be used or are ineffective).

Category X

Studies in animals or human beings have demonstrated fetal abnormalities, or there is evidence of fetal risk based on human experience or both, and the risk of the use of the drug in pregnant women clearly outweighs any possible benefit. The drug is contraindicated in women who are or may become pregnant.

The suboxone is in category C, adderall is in category C and Klonopin is in category D.

It is best if you and your obstetrician and psychiatrist discuss these medications and decide if the benefits outweigh the risks. You can not just stop any of these medications without experiencing serious withdrawal symptoms. Please educate yourself about each of these medicines and then make an informed decision.

Best wishes,

Laurie

Laurie - great post - very informative and enlightening!

Personally, I'm quite alarmed with the cocktail of dangerous medications that you are taking while pregnant. ALL are addictive drugs, leading to the liklihood that your unborn baby may be born addicted to all of them - and suffer a wide range of lifelong special needs, as a result.

Please - this is important - make sure than any and all doctors you use are fully aware of the other drugs you're taking, as well as aware of your pregnancy. Naturally, it is up to you and your doctor to decide what is best, and determine if the potential benefit outweighs the risks.

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It is not known what the effects to the unborn baby are, and I pray you exercise extreme caution. If your symptoms can be managed by any other means (natural remedies, safer medications, behavioral modification, therapy, yoga, meditation, NA, etc.) then please do so. Step outside of your own 'comfort zone' and place that baby's needs ahead of your own. I've worked in the field of substance abuse for a long time, and seen the results that have occurred to the babies of women who have been using similiar medications while pregnant. It can be a horrendous ordeal ahead of you, dealing with the long-term results in your child (as well as the resulting guilt) and trying to stay clean and sober. I pray you can find enough relief through safer methods, until the baby is born. Talk to your doctor(s) and see what else they can suggest.

God bless,