Efexor xr 2009

[katem]

hi, i have been taking efexor for about 8years...iv been on 150, 75, 37.5, and now back on 150...im about 7 weeks pregnant and because i saw several different doctors for my perscriptions i have only NOW found out that i need to be off them during pregnancy...
after my family doctor scared the hell out of me, i had a second opinion and that doctor says that it's important to look at the benefits vs risks...i understand that there is no solid evidence, but im scared of what might happen to our baby...i would never forgive myself if there was a problem, but i find it hard to cut down at the rate my family doctor excpects me to...
when i told him about the effects of cutting down so rapidly (crying all day, irrational, head shakes, feeling suffocated, panicked etc) he simply replied with ''well imagine how that would feel for your baby...the baby will be born and have to go through all those withdrawals''...
at the moment, all i can do is slowly cut down... i have no other choice because i simply wont cope otherwise, nor will i be able to take car of myself and bub...
if there are any women out there who have given birth to children while taking efexor, then id love to hear from you and get ur opinions...
:confused:

[Myztik]

I was prescribed Effexor whilst pregnant with DS1 and was told this medication had been tested for pregnancy and was safe.

Long story short, I was also on 150mg and my DS1 is now a happy and healthy 7yr old :)

eta - rapidly weaning off any medication is generally not advised, especially anti depressants. When I stopped taking them the doctor wanted me to wean as slowly as possible (cant remember exactly how long it took as it was years ago now).

[Blueberry Crumble]

I was also on Effexor right through the pregnancy with my now healthy DS, a high dose too, with no troubles

[baileysmum05]

I am currently 13 wks pregnant and taking Effexor Xr 75mg and have also been told its safe in pregnancy

[Tam-I-Am]

Effexor XR is a pregnancy category C (as classified by the Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC). This means:


Drugs which, owing to their pharmaceutical effects, have caused or may be suspected of causing, harmful effects on the human fetus or neonate without causing malformations. These effects may be reversible.

As I understand it, the problem is usually with withdrawal affects when the baby is born, with Effexor XR. It's therefore recommended that the mother is withdrawn from the medication well before her baby is born ie at the start of the 3rd trimester.

However, it's always a cost benefit analysis with medication - if the risk of being off the medication is much higher than the risk to the baby, then it's recommended that you stay on the medication.

My advice would be to ask for a referral to see a psychiatrist who has a special interest in psychotropic medications in pregnancy, or an obstetrician with an interest in psychotropic medications in pregnancy. Ask for the opinion of somebody who actually knows and is coming from a professional point of view - not a personal one, as this doctor seemed to be. It was totally unprofessional of him to try to guilt you into HIS preferred treatment regime, and I'm sorry you went through that - I think that, if you have the strength, it might be a good idea to write a complaint to the practice manager about his misconduct :hugs:

Hope you find a good solution for you and your bubba.

[katem]

THANKYOU LADIES! :yes:
I have heard different info (mainly from google) about the warnings, the category, and it's safety...some places say it's category B, some say C...:geek:

nowhere actually says that it's safe, although i read on forums that some doctors have told you it IS safe, other doctors will never tell you something is safe without evidence because it would be negligent...

at the end of the day, i dont feel like i can cut off cold turkey...i just know i cant look after myself and bub...i will cut down to half the dosage by the 3rd trimester, and i think that i will start seeing a more sensitive doctor who is perhaps a little more knowlegable on the matter... :shakehands:

now if only i can shake this ''all day morning sickness'' i will feel LOADS better :barf:

[Mummy2Kobi&Hailee]

hi there,

i have a 6 day old bubs and took 150mg EFFEXOR XR through out my whole pregnancy and delivered a healthy baby at 38.3 weeks.
I went through the whole should i take this medication while pregnant and found a lot of negative information about it on the internet.
I sought the advice of my midwife my OB and my psychiatrist and was adviced that i should continue my medication through out my pregnancy as the risk to my mental health was greater than the risk to bubs. Was told bubs may be irratable for first day i\or 2 or need a little oxygen after birth but that was all.

heres the link to the post i had on here about EFEXOR in pregnancy you might find helpful. (2 pages of posts)

http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=275849

luv Broni
xxx

[mam]

Husband and i planning 4th. Avoided antidepressants because not sure if we had finished family. Assured recently that efexor is ok. Started meds. On 75mg initially but flattened, so increased to 150mg. Was shocked by google search and found you guys. Naturally prefer not to take, but don't want anxiety attacks during pregancy, naturally would have negative impact. Have a Borderline Personality Disorder sibling to deal with, so the stress isn't going to go away, have to live with it. Not keen to reduce or go off meds. Thanks for posts and opinions. Will discuss further with GP and Pyschologist.:wave:

[Mummy2Kobi&Hailee]

Mam- i found that when i googled Effexor in pregnancy all the sites i found were american. It freaked me out aswell but after talkin to several doctors and my pyschiatrist i found Effexor to be safe in pregnancy. I searched around for different docs and didnt tell them i had seen and asked other doc about Effexor in pregnancy coz i wanted their opinion and not for them to just agree with what other doc had said IYKWIM.

[codswallop]

id be getting a new DR

[lau]

I took efexor right through pregnancy, and always asked each professional I saw whether it was ok- none ever even batted an eyelid. Have a healthy beautiful little girl now. x