phebbs1I have been on xanax for about 10 years now, its the only thing that helps for my panic attacks, social anxiety, phobias, im just afraid of facing the outside world with out it..Just simply bringing my daughter to school is hard for me. The xanax helps to get through these routine things in life. My problem is i am prescibed 4 mg. a day , but im now pregnant. I tried 2 stop for my 2 year old but just could not, i took as little as i felt i needed but still took it the whole time. My daughter was born healthy, and is smart as a whip. i have a 7 year old that i took nothing for at all and she has epilepsy, adhd, learning diabilitys, etc. So im pretty much wondering if whats meant 2 be is meant 2 be, or am i playing with fire, because im pregnant again, im now 17 weeks, and still on about 1mg, to 2 mg a day as needed, i wanna know if anyone knows the real dangers, i feel horrible taking it, but i cant see making it a day without, being my need for the meds. any feedback will be helpful. thanks!
Pregnant and still on my prescribed xanax, how safe is this if at all?
- Posted:
- 16 Aug 2009 by phebbs1
- Topics:
- focalin xr, xanax, depression, tinnitus, anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, pregnancy, dysautonomia
Responses (3)
Robert_32516 Aug 2009
Phebbs ... I would never try to judge you for your lifestyle. No one has made more mistakes than me about xanax. Here is some info that you should read.
Important information about Xanax
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to Xanax or to other benzodiazepines, such as chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), or oxazepam (Serax). This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use Xanax if you are pregnant.
Before taking Xanax, tell your doctor if you have any breathing problems, glaucoma, kidney or liver disease, or a history of depression, suicidal thoughts, or addiction to drugs or alcohol.
25 Oct 2011
I have been wondering about how xanax would affect a baby for a long time. I have been on xanax for about 10 years as well. Im down to only about 0.25mg per day. Im working on getting pregnant. The problem is its sooo diffiecult to stop the xanax. Even at a low dose. It was positive news to hear that ur baby was still healthy even w the xanax. Hopefully i will be able to rid myselff of it before i get pregnant.
22 Feb 2012
I can relate to how you feel and wish I had better answers as well. I was diagnosed with panic disorder with agoraphobia in 1999. I have been on paxil, zoloft, Prozac and Xanax
. I am 18 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child( 1st one is 16years old) and my psychologist will not give me any more Xanax only prescribed me busbar which hasn't taken effect yet since I'm still getting panic attacks and benedry to take when I feel an attack coming on. That does not work AT ALL. These people who prescribe "benedry" because it has a "calming effect" has no idea how bad panic is. And I think it's really sad for those people who think it's not a serious problem. It's very debilitating. I just wanted to say I know what your going through, hang in there and good luck<3
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.
Similar questions
Pregnancy and bad anxiety? is there anything safe to take to get rid of anxiety?
I have severe anxiety disorder and am looking for something safe to take. My doctor gave me amatryptaline to take in replacement of xanax... I was ...
5 answers • 16 Feb 2011 • 
Is Alprazolam and xanax the same thing?
3 answers • 16 Jun 2011 • 1 star
Panic Disorder - I have anxiety, panic attacks, depression. I see my Dr every 4 to 6 weeks for 5 to?
... 10 minutes. I get just enough meds to get by. Ive been taken off xanax because its addictive. I have now been of my paxil for 1 week now and Im ...
4 answers • 8 Aug 2011 •
Pregnancy - is xanax harmful while trying to become pregnant and while pregnant ive been on xanax?
... for over 6 years and have extreme panic attacks and anxiety
1 answer • 4 Sep 2011 •
Alprazolam - I suffer from agoraphobia, social anxiety, panic attacks, TMJ disorder, and supposed?
... depression. I also believe I have post traumatic syndrome from past occurrences in my life. However, I live in a small Christian town in Texas ...
8 answers • 19 Jan 2012 •
I completely understand where your coming from, abut sacrificing, and not taking it, but heres what worries me. I know already that even if i would attempt to stop all the way how long would the getting off process take, ive proved to myself through this that i can lessen my dose tremendously, and im not gonna lie, seing reality more feels way better. But the thought of none at all scares me, and wondering if putting my baby through the stress that my body would go through during withdrawls makes me also wonder. My last doctor i saw when i was 11 weeks, after i told him i was taking the xanax, he prescribed me ativan 1 mg 3x a day, and told me it was safe to completely stop xanax and get on this, but i wouldnt know because the pharmacy wouldnt ley me fill it, because the xanax were already in the computers. But i researched ativan, and its the same warnings and drug class level as xanax, so why do u think that ativan would be better or safer? I see my new dr.
Expand this post...
tommorrow, and ill hopefully get my ultrasound and find out if things look ok, i just pray its all alright. Believe me i wish everyday i was like other "normal" people who dont feel, and go through these things and worrys and attacks that i do, but were all different i guess, and gotta figure out how to make this work for us i guess!
You and your baby would both be better off with you on methadone or subutex than xanax. What does the OBGYN say about a pregnancy while on xanax?
Why would i take methadone to replace xanax 1st of all, or were u just using an example? cuz i know that is for people that were on opiates, and i know that methadone is supposedly safe for pregnancy, but i still think that methadone is a governmemt scam to make more money, cuz it just substitutes one drug for another, and i know people on it, and they are now hooked to that.That is not for me to worry about though, but i said that the obgyn put me on ativan, but i couldnt fill em. But its the same risks anyway.
Methadone was just an example and not a good one at that. It's an opiate where xanax is a benzo. I was being fecicious. : (
The baby should be getting help with this from an OBGYN. Has your dr said it's okay to have your baby taking xanax during pregnancy? I would be SHOCKED if that were the case.
I'm done here. You need to get advice from your OBGYN, not a drug forum. A baby's life is at stake here. I wish the VERY best for your baby and a successful delivery for you. God bless. : )
And why does your dr say that it's okay for the baby to take ativan rather than xanax? I don't believe this one. I'm backing out at this point. Good luck and God bless.
K , Thanks for everything, and yes i found it very odd also about the ativan thing, but it was a very credible dr. at one of the best hospitals around. I guess a doctor cant tell a person pregnant or not 2 get off completely, cuz u know the risks of that just as well as i do. And with my last pregnancy, i told the obgyn doc. he said i should be ok, but 2 stop, and he prescribed me like a benedryl, it starts with an z i forget the name, it is supposed 2 help with anxiety, but it didnt help, so i continued the xanax, and the baby was fine. I know your probably wondering then why am i even asking, but i still feel horrible for taking ANY kind of meds during pregnancy, and just out here 2 see if anyone is or has gone through the same thing i have, and again, thanks for listening!!!
yes Im going through it right know and I just found out today that im about 6 weeks along and i take about 6 ml of xanax a day and i dont know what to do???
I dont know if there is a substitute 4 it... that will not hurt the baby!!! and i so need to know???
I am tring to get pregnant, I only take 1and a half to 2 mg a day as needed,I have been on it for 3 years, but everyday. Will I have a healthy baby?? I have a 4 yr old but wasnt on xanax until after his father warped me and gave me panic attacks. I want a baby sooooo bad but want to know if it will be okay??? HELP!!!
Hello Pheebs,
I have noticed one of the hardest things about anxiety is most people who dont have it DO NOT HAVE A CLUE what we are going through. I too have been suffering from severe anxiety for ten years now. After getting the run around of all the SSRIS and even bipolar medicine (even though I am not bipolar) I finally asked to be put on Xanax, eventually switching to Klonopin because of the longer half life. I am now 10 weeks pregant. I found out at 4 weeks and was on 1 mg/day of klonopin. I was getting it from a family doctor because i have had bad luck finding a decent psychologists who doesnt think i am nervous to leave the house "because I might get a flat tire."
Expand this post...
Anyway the prescribing doctor told me to stop immediately, even though everything i read said not to stop immediately, by the third day i was shaking and had blurry vision, feeling like i was on the verge of seizing, that is when i gave in and took half the dose i was on and decreased it by that every 3 days till off. after that my anxiety has came back and my life is back to being unbearable I too have a kindergartner and cant even get him from school (luckily we have an after school day care, but can barely afford it). everyday has gotten worse until i finally couldnt take the pain and suffering and after reading everything i could about the subject I took .25 of my xanax.
Anxiety is a condition like anything else. Except the symptoms are mostly internal, and it is the only condition I can think of that prevents the sufferer from getting help! (scared to go out of house for drs appointments).
It is a serious condition that also can lead to serious depression, as in my case, and I have trouble taking care of myself, and can actually function like a normal person when I take xanax or klonopin. (Btw I chose to take the xanax in this case because it doesnt stay in your system as long.)
Through all my research I have not found one website that directly relates xanax to birth defects. pharmacy companies are a business and do not want to be sued. Many people who have seizure disorders have to take category D medications (including klonopin) and nobody judges them . For those of you who rudely commented, would you tell an epileptic they needed to make sacrifice for the pregancy by not taking their needed medication??
Have you ever seen the packages that Accutane comes in? Every pill has a punch out that says do not get pregnant and you have to take blood test every month. If it were so serious to take xanax, why did not one single doctor warn me about getting pregnant while taking it? Especially when they know it isnt easy to stop right away? Anyway sorry this is so long, please write back and let me know how everything is going so far.
and also, please dont get me wrong, i rather not be taking anything but my mental illness is so severe that, like they say the benefits greatly outweigh the risk. many people cant understand how severe anxiety/panic feels, they often compare it to "ration worries" like taking tests, so they think its something you can get over, or are doign to yourself. i frown upon women who even think one glass of wine is okay, because that is an unecessary risk. taking a medication to keep your mind healthy, which leads to being healthier physically and being able to take care of your self is a different story. By the way, I would recommend finding a "high risk" doctor they should be able to help and watch the baby closer while taking the medication. Your health, mental and physical is just as important, a happy mommy is a healthy mom. Depression resulting from untreated anxiety can leave a mother malnorished, and stress hormones present a there own set of risks.
Expand this post...
My last point is I am not saying for anyone with the slightest bit of uncomfort go and grab for these medications, but those with severe established anxiety like pheebs need to realize how important it is for you to stay mentally sane and stable-for the health of the baby.
I totally agree with the last 2 women that posted on this subject. I am perscribed to 9mg a day and nowhere on the bottle does it even say do not take while being pregnant... Yes alot of doctors tell you not to take ANYTHING but that doesn't mean the child will have some sort of birth defects either way... You can have a planned child and it still have learning disabilities, etc. It all depends on the genes n family history. Not because of some medicine the baby is already 'used to'... Being on this medication for 6 yrs now, my fiance thinks I should just flush it. No one has any idea how hard it is to function without it... When I found out I was 3 wks pregnant, I was very worried as well.. This medication is for the brain and does not stay in your system very long. I see my doctor tomorrow and am going to have to confess about how I have rely on it... I can't go to work or anywhere without blurry vision, dropping things or not being able to concentrate..
Expand this post...
There are crackhead mothers out there that do off the street drugs throughout their entire pregnancy and by the grace of God, the baby turns out just fine.. As said before, (N I can't even eat without the medication, so the baby has more chances of surving with it!) a happy mother means a happy pregnancy which means a happy baby.. I would lose my job, be entirely depressed and go thru so many withdraws without it... It's not easy to stop but during my 3rd n most and important month, I choose to lower my dosage as much as I can because this is the brain development period.. Wish me luck, I will post on here soon about what my doctor has to say about this addiction we cannot control..
The thing is sonogram is like hindsight isnt it--- I hope u do the best u can for yourselfand ur babies. This info is straight from this websight---
Lorazepam Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings
Lorazepam is also known as: Ativan
Overview
Lorazepam has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. Do not become pregnant while you are using it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Lorazepam while you are pregnant. Lorazepam is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Lorazepam.
Lorazepam Pregnancy Warnings
Expand this post...
Infants of mothers who ingested benzodiazepines for several weeks or more preceding delivery have been reported to have withdrawal symptoms during the postnatal period. Symptoms such as hypoactivity, hypotonia, hypothermia, respiratory depression, apnea, feeding problems, and impaired metabolic response to cold stress have been reported in neonates born of mothers who have received benzodiazepines during the late phase of pregnancy or at delivery. One study has suggested that lorazepam may cause cleft palate at dosages of 20 to 36 mg/kg in mice.
Lorazepam has been assigned to pregnancy category D by the FDA. An increased risk of congenital malformations in humans has been suggested with use of other benzodiazepines. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Lorazepam use is considered contraindicated during pregnancy.
Lorazepam Breasfeeding Warnings Lorazepam is excreted into human milk in small amounts. Sedation is a theoretic concern but has not been reported with lorazepam. The manufacturer states that lorazepam should not be administered to breast-feeding women, unless the expected benefit to the woman outweighs the potential risk to the infant. Lorazepam is described by the American Academy of Pediatrics as a drug "whose effect on nursing infants is unknown but may be of concern."
Sedation and inability to suckle have occurred in neonates of lactating mothers taking benzodiazepines. Infants of lactating mothers should be observed for pharmacological effects (including sedation and irritability).
Alprazolam Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings
Overview--Alprazolam is also known as: Alprazolam Intensol, Niravam, Xanax, Xanax XR
Alprazolam Orally Disintegrating Tablets has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Alprazolam Orally Disintegrating Tablets during pregnancy. Alprazolam Orally Disintegrating Tablets are excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Alprazolam Orally Disintegrating Tablets.
Alprazolam Pregnancy Warnings
Alprazolam has been assigned to pregnancy category D by the FDA. An increased risk of congenital malformations in humans has been suggested with use of other benzodiazepines, although small studies have not implicated alprazolam. Withdrawal symptoms have been described in neonates whose mothers took alprazolam during pregnancy. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Alprazolam use is considered contraindicated during pregnancy.
Physicians are encouraged to register patients before fetal outcome is known (e.g., ultrasound, results of amniocentesis, etc) into the Antiepileptic Drug (AED) Pregnancy Registry at 1-888-233-2334 or 1-888-AED-AED4. This is an ongoing study at the Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. This study is designed to monitor the outcomes of pregnant women exposed to antiepileptic drugs in order to determine which therapies are associated with increased risk.
Alprazolam Breastfeeding Warnings
Chronic administration of another benzodiazepine, diazepam, to nursing mothers has been reported to cause their infants to become lethargic and lose weight.
Alprazolam is probably excreted into human milk in small amounts. Withdrawal symptoms have been described in nursing infants whose mothers have withdrawn from alprazolam. The manufacturer recommends that, as a general rule, nursing should not be undertaken by mothers who must use alprazolam
Also, who knows what is going on in the brain?
Best wishes to you and yours It must be very difficult.
I have a severe axienty disorder and also had real pain problems in past. I took a drug called Suboxone for pain with my daughter and she is a healthy, smart lil girl. The drug was not passed to her, i am now having a son and i do not feel it is right, espically for a man, to judge what a women needs to take. If the benfits outweigh the risks, then only the women carring the baby knows what her body and level of anxiety can handle. I feel these sights increase my anxiety by all of the judgemental people out there.
What about if your taking Xanex and become pregnant? Is that known to harm the baby?
There is a very small risk of birth defects from taking xanax during the first trimester, but often the benefits outweigh the risks. If you've been taking xanax and become pregnant, it's very important that you do not stop taking it suddenly. Stopping it suddenly can actually cause a miscarriage due to the effects of withdrawal.
Overall, the risks of taking xanax during pregnancy is low. Robert has NO idea what he is talking about and sounds like kind of a creep. Don't feel guilty for taking care of your mental health during your pregnancy. The effects of an untreated mental disorder are more harmful than taking xanax. But obviously, talk to your doctor. He or she should be treating your underlying anxiety disorder anyway.
I'm pretty sure that Xanax isn't safe with a pregnancy, BUT if the risk of a panic attack outweigh the risk for your child - (aka, you could die from your panic attack - therefore, so could your unborn baby) - then maybe you NEED to be on this medication. I like how easy it is for men to give pregnancy advice about what "their wife" would/wouldn't do... sounds a little creepily controlling to me.
I think this is something you need to discuss with your doctor.
Also -- I am currently trying to conceive - and have been on xanax for the last 6 years for severe anxiety - my doctor and I have been able to get me down from 3 mg to 1mg per day - I'm having a VERY hard time completely getting rid of it, I'm actually terrified of having an anxiety attack to the point that I feel like I need the xanax to control THAT fear on top of all the other crazy social anxieties... so, that's why I ended up on here reading all the information I can about other WOMEN'S experiences. :)
please respond as to how your pregnancy turned out!!!
Just so we are all clear - I am a man with a wife who suffers from anxiety. She has been on Xanax for 10 years and it scares the hell out of me. If you read again thru your responses they sound suspiciously like AA addiction denial - calling others creepy and controlling is really your mind justifying your addiction.
If you all suffer from panic attacks - is it even safe or healthy (for you OR the baby) to even consider having a child - let alone add the further stress of pregnancy and natal care? How safe is the baby if you have blurry vision while driving? Or periodic seizers that would de-enable you in emergencies? Sorry for long answer.
Why in the world would you recommend the use of Suboxone? For starters, Subutex, and Suboxone are opiates. They are not even close to the same category as benzodiazepines, which Xanax would be categorized as. In addition, people who use Suboxone, which is prescribed for opiate addiction are told NOT to use Suboxone during pregnancy, and are then tapered down and put on Subutex. Subutex does not have the Naloxone (the opiate blocker) that is in Suboxone. It has been proven the Naloxone in Suboxone, is very harmful for your baby.
Expand this post...
As far as Xanax goes, I would stay on the lowest dose your body can handle because as most health care providers say, the withdrawal and chemical reaction of being off the medication can harm your body and baby's mental development as well as physical, just as much as using the drug. I myself am taking Xanax for anxiety, and I have gone from 2mg down to 1 mg a day during my pregnancy. I am now 15 weeks, and I haven't had any problems. If you're taking Klonopin, I would suggest switching to Xanax because it has a shorter lasting time rather than Klonopin, which isn't so very strong to hit your baby at once.
Hope this helps & good luck!