Lorazepam Pregnancy and Breast Feeding Warnings

Lorazepam is also known as: Ativan

Overview

Lorazepam Solution 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 Solution while you are pregnant. Lorazepam Solution is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Lorazepam Solution.

Lorazepam Pregnancy Warnings

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.

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 Lactation 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).

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