I'm pregnant and I want to know if taking paxil is safe for me to take... thanks!
Did anybody take paxil during pregnancy? Is this OK?
Question posted by peaceful12 on 5 Aug 2010
Last updated on 30 December 2020 by WildcatVet
15 Answers
WildcatVet
30 Dec 2020
Only if your doctor feels the benefits greatly outweigh the risks.
https://www.drugs.com/pregnancy/paroxetine.html
Mamabrink
30 Dec 2020
Hi! I took Paxil for both my pregnancies and had no issues with it. I was on a low dose of 20mg. None of my boys had heart issues or any problems from it after they were born. I have a 3 year old and one year old boys. Good luck and make sure you see a therapist sometimes OB doctors don’t understand the whole mental health aspect of pregnancies.
Pandasmommy13
7 Aug 2017
I was put on Paxil several years ago and once it started helping I found out I was pregnant. I called my doctor right away and he took me off immediately saying that it can cause birth defects. I'm taking it again now and it helps a lot. I hope this doesn't scare you.
Jennifermas007
3 March 2013
Look into Buspar for an anti anxiety drug that is SAFE for when you are pregnant. SSRI's are not recommended due to birth defects and cardiovascular issues associated with birth.
Taking Buspar in 7, 10, 20mg twice a day is best, and is a classification B - which is on the safe list when it comes to being pregnant handling slight anxiety.
Good luck!
Jennifer
zapdmom
8 Jan 2013
Actually I did take Paxil during my pregnancy and my son turned out perfectly fine and very healthy. I was very much concerned with being health mentally during my pregnancy as my depression was quite severe. The problems I had was when the hospital took me off of it cold turkey in the hospital for breast feeding. I had horrific nightmares for a week. Didn't sleep at all. This is something you must research and discuss with your doctor.
JMS 15
11 July 2012
I am pregnant and taking Paxil 20 mg..I stopped taking it when I found out I was preg only to have my fetal medicine/ob/phys specialist dr put me back on it..Only one study, that wasn't published, was found to cause a heart defect, A hole in the heart of a fetus,(that all fetuses have) that didnt close up after birth(usually the hole seals after birth),if that makes sense..The study was based on one woman that had a baby with the defect. No other defects have ever been reported. Those are my drs words of course, not mine..I would of course talk to your dr..If you are depressed or have severe anxiety as I do, it would be beneficial to you and your baby to stay sane..Thats an opinion, I am not a dr. Just a preg lady with mental issues lol..Good luck in your journey..I also take subutex 4 mg..I am concerned about the withdrawal the baby may have.
I quit cold turkey,(Also coming off of paxil and clonazepam), well after a short taper from 16 to 2 mg in 12 days and I had severe, evil withdrawals before finally throwing in the towel on day 14 of ZERO sleep, not eating, barely breathing, with the advice of my ob and sub drs I went back on 4 mg. Im 12 weeks now.Anyone had a baby born on subutex?
redruby77
27 Dec 2012
I have three children. I only took half of a 25mg Paxil cr per day throughout my third pregnancy. My first two children were full term and 100% healthy. My third was born seven weeks early. He was born with plageocephaly, like muscular function of his tongue and his lungs were under- developed. He began having severe asthma attacks from one week through about four years old. His immune system was weakened which allowed him to end up with pneumonia repeatedly. He spent the first four years of his life on two to four medications daily, depending on the severity of his attacks and/or illness. Three different times it almost killed him. Additionally his development was effected where he also required speech therapy (the tongue muscle function) and extra reading tutoring for about three years once at school age to bring him up to grade level. He's now ten years old, brilliant with good grades and rarely has any illness.
I would highly recommend requesting a different medication, at minimum!! I am now 27 weeks into my fourth and final pregnancy, again requiring anxiety meds. Taking half of a 25mg Zoloft. So far, I've been debating weaning myself off of it. I've been into the doc twice now with bleeding, cramping and contracting. Every day I'm in fear of how early this baby may be and how many years it will take to make right what wrong the meds may have caused. It's hard to say what harm may be caused without it as well. I think I would rather imply coping strategies than the meds at this point.
Kb17
10 June 2013
Since you posted within the last year I WAS WONDERING HOW your baby turned out. Were there any complications due to the meds. I am in a similar situation. Not pregnant yet but having withdrawals and trying to become pregnant.
Kb17
10 June 2013
Previous comment for @jms15
PhylomenaD
27 June 2012
Check with your doctor.
prozagain
27 June 2012
I did much research on the effects of SSRIs before getting pregnant in 03' because I certainly did not want to do any damage to my child. What I found is that none are 100% safe. You must weigh the risks. I myself have severe anxiety so controlling it was much better for both me and my unborn child than going through pregnancy and feeling anxiety 24-7. I made the decision to go on Prozac since I felt that it was the oldest drug out there and had the most research results. My pregnancy went well however my child did suffer from reflux for the first 8months of his life. I did not find out til later that this was a result of Prozac. Paxil is not one of the better drugs even for the individuals taking it because of its long term side effects, so I can't imagine it would be good for an unborn child to ingest for 9 months. Everyone's body is made differently so what may affect one person may not affect another. Do your research.
Jwaynette
10 June 2012
It is not a pregnancy safe drug according to the FDA . I went off of paxil to try to have a baby and the withdraws were the worst ever for me . I can't imagine what it would feel like for a new born to go though . But if your already pregnant you need to talk to your Dr to see what's best for your health as well . I wish you and your baby luck. I know how hard it is to have GAD and try to enjoy being pregnant too ;)
Cleaned4good
1 Jan 2012
Hi there, Well I can only speak from my own advice..I took Paxil during my pregnancy without any issues. I am from Ontario, Canada. I called the Toronto Sick Children hospital and asked if it was safe for me to take Paxil during pregnancy..The lady that I spoke with at the time said that it was safe and at that time there were no studies that showed any negative effects on the baby. This was 3 years ago..I would suggest you call your nearest Childrens hospital and ask them. All the best and I hope this helps a little.
Inactive
20 Aug 2011
Dear Peaceful12, I've never been pregnant, nor taken Paxil. But if I was in your place. I would notify the doctor right away. Get some medical advice by your doctor. I have to agree with the group. Taking meds while pregnant is not safe for the baby. Good luck, I hope everything goes okay for you and your baby. Congrats : )
Stacey Harbach
20 Aug 2011
I have seen alot and told alot about Drugs during pregnancy. Most say many drugs will cause birth defects. Go online and research meds and pregnancy.
Inactive
5 Aug 2010
No, Do Not take that drug. It is a class D and very dangerous to the fetus!
christineATU
5 Aug 2010
No, I did not take paxil during pregnancy but I must agree with Maso. I found similar information. Talk with your doctor about risks vs. benefits and weigh them out. Congratulations on your pregnancy and try not to worry. I'm sure the risks are minor and your doc will put your mind at ease.
My best wishes!
Chris
Inactive
5 Aug 2010
Paxil and Pregnancy Category D
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses a category system to classify the possible risks to a fetus when a specific medicine is taken during pregnancy. Pregnancy Category D is a classification given to medicines that have been shown to present a risk to the fetus in studies of pregnant women, but may still offer benefits that outweigh the risks the drug presents. A pregnancy Category D medicine may still be given to a pregnant woman if the Doctor believes that the benefits to the woman outweigh the possible risks to the unborn child.
When Paxil is taken in early pregnancy (the first trimester), it may cause heart problems in the fetus. These heart problems may be minor and correct themselves, or they may be severe and require surgery. When Paxil is taken in late pregnancy (the third trimester), it may cause side effects in the newborn baby. These side effects can be as minor as irritability or as serious as seizures or lung problems.
In general, Paxil is not recommended for use in pregnant women, except in special situations, such as in women with severe depression who do not respond to other antidepressants. However, it is important to avoid stopping the drug too suddenly, as Paxil withdrawal may occur.
Take care, and I hope everything works out for the best.-
Related topics
paxil, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, postpartum depression, generalized anxiety disorder, hot flashes, pregnancy, anxiety and stress, dysautonomia, trichotillomania
Further information
- Paxil uses and safety info
- Paxil prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Paxil (detailed)
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